DISCOVER ISLAMIC ART

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* The term Islamic art not only describes the art created specifically in the service of the Muslim faith but also characterizes the art and architecture historically produced in the lands ruled by Muslims.

* Islamic art in both its exoteric and esoteric dimensions as well as its expressions in various Islamic sciences is deeply related to the spirituality which has issued from it.

* Because of the strict injunctions against such depictions of humans or animals which might result in idol-worship, Islamic art developed a unique character not seen in other religious art forms.

* The four basic components of Islamic ornament are calligraphy, vegetal patterns, geometric patterns, and figural representation.

* Calligraphy is the most highly regarded and most fundamental element of Islamic art. It follows from the artist's belief that the potential for developing a variety of ornamental forms is actually inherent within the Arabic script because the Qur'an was first transmitted in Arabic.

* Vegetal patterns are found on a vast number of buildings, manuscripts, objects, and textiles, produced throughout the Islamic world, usually alone or in combination with the other major types of ornament-calligraphy and geometric patterns.

* Geometric patterns largely depict the aniconic quality of Islam, and is one of the three major non-figural types of decoration in Islamic art.

* Figural representations in Islam are relatively newer. Only with the spread of Islam outward from the Arabian Peninsula in the seventh century, the figural representations started influencing the development of Islamic art.

* "Islamic art is perhaps the most accessible manifestation of a complex civilization that often seems enigmatic to outsiders. Through its brilliant use of color and its superb balance between design and form, Islamic art creates an immediate visual impact. Its strong aesthetic appeal transcends distances in time and space, as well as differences in language, culture, and creed."

~ Dr Linda Komaroff, associate curator of Islamic Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
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Perhaps the most important expression of Islamic art is architecture, particularly that of the mosque. Many of these edifices actually ilustrate the effect of varying cultures within Islamic civilization.

For example, the role of domes in Islamic architecture has been considerable. Domes have been used in Islamic architecture for centuries. The earliest surviving dome is part of the Dome of the Rock monument, built in 691 CE. Another prominent dome is that of the 17th century Taj Mahal. And as late as the 19th century, Islamic domes were incorporated into Western architecture.

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel

Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey

Roof of Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

And of-course...The Taj Mahal, Agra, India

Islamic Architecture

Under the Mughals, India was the heart of a great Islamic empire and a prolific center of Islamic culture and learning.

The Mughals lived and reigned in India from 1526 to 1858 AD. Their dynasty was the greatest, richest and longest-lasting Muslim dynasty to rule India. This dynasty produced the finest and most elegant arts and architecture in the history of all Muslim dynasties.

Humayun's tomb at Delhi

The Red Fort at Agra

The mausoleum of Akbar at Sikandara outside Agra

The tomb of Jahangir at Shahdara across the Ravi from Lahore

The tomb of Itimad al-Dawleh at Agra

The Taj Mahal at Agra

The tomb of Aurangzeb's wife at Aurangabad

The Nawab Safdar Jang's tomb at Delhi

The Charminar Gate at Hyderabad

Mughal Architecture

Calligraphic design is omnipresent in Islamic art, and is usually expressed in a mix of Qur'anic verses and historical proclamations.

Two of the main scripts involved are the symbolic kufic and naskh scripts, which can be found adorning and enhancing the visual appeal of the walls and domes of buildings, the sides of minbars, and so on. Illuminated scripts, coinage, and other "minor art" pieces such as ewers and incense holders are also often decorated with calligraphy.

Below is an example!


Islamic Calligraphy / Arabic Calligraphy

The early history of Islamic pottery remains somewhat obscure and speculative as little evidence has survived. But one thing is sure - Islamic pottery is one of the most powerful art forms that influenced Europe and the whole world. In fact many of the developments in Italian ceramics and glass were made possible by Italy's proximity to the Islamic world.

It is truly unfortunate that apart from tiles which escaped destruction due to their use in architectural decoration of buildings and mosques, much early medieval pottery vanished.

Here is how it looks like!


Islamic Pottery

No Islamic artistic concept has become better known outside its original home than the Pile arpet, more commonly referred to as the Oriental Carpet (Oriental Rug), their versatility utilized in everyday Islamic and Muslim life, from floor coverings to architectural enrichment.

Carpet weaving is a rich and deeply embedded tradition in Islamic societies, and the practice is seen in cities as well as in rural communities and nomadic encampments. In older times, special establishments and workshops were in existence that functioned directly under court patronage in Islamic lands.

Just for the love of it!










Oriental Carpet / Pile Carpet / Oriental Rug / Persian Carpet

A Persian Miniature is a small painting, whether a book illustration or a separate work of art intended to be kept in an album of such works. The Persian miniature was the dominant influence on other Islamic miniature traditions, principally the Ottoman miniature in Turkey, and the Mughal miniature in the Indian sub-continent.

The techniques are broadly comparable to the Western and Byzantine traditions of miniatures in illuminated manuscripts, but the survival rate and state of preservation of miniatures are better.

Check out these lovely paintings!












Persian Miniature / Islamic Miniature