Download BET Unit Sheet 1 Islamic Art Chapter 10

AP Art History
BET 1: Islamic Art–Chapter 10 Unit Sheet Mrs. Cook
Art Works
Medium
Date
Page
10-2: Dome of the Rock
10-4: The Great Mosque in Damascus
10-6: The Great Mosque in Tunisia
10-9 to 10-12: Mosque at Cordoba, Spain
10-15: Pyxis of al-Mughria, from Medina al-Zahra
10:19: Alhambra Palaces, Spain
10-23: The Mosque of Selim II, Turkey (Sinan-architect)
10-27: Maqsud of Kashan, carpet
10-29: Sultona-Muhamman, Court of Gayumars, folio 20
architecture
architecture
architecture
architecture
Pyxis
architecture
architecture
Carpet
Illustrated book
691
c. 700
c. 875
c. 800-1000
968
c. 1350
c. 1575
1540
1525-1535
285
286
288
290-291
293
295
299
301
302-303
Preview: The religion of Islam arose early in the seventh century. From the Arabian peninsula where Islam was
established, Muslim rule spread swiftly to Syria, Palestine, Iraq, and Lower Egypt. By 710, all of North Africa was
under Islamic control. In the following centuries Islamic rule was established in southern Spain, and in the East,
Muslim armies gradually eroded Byzantine strongholds. The collapse of the Byzantine Empire occurred when the
Ottoman Turks invaded Constantinople in 1453. Islam, one of the world’s great religions, is centered around the
6th century Prophet Muhammed, whose revelations are written in the Koran, the sacred book of Islam.
Throughout its history, Arab thinkers have made significant contributions to world literature, philosophy,
science, and mathematics. The art of the Islamic world is particularly rich, with refined traditions in mosque
architecture, luxury arts such as carving and metalwork, illustrated books. Chapter 10 surveys the art and
architecture of the Islamic world from its early period in the 7th century, through the 16th century, the height of
the Ottoman dynasty.
Key Figures: Muhammad the Prophet, Sinan, Suleyman the Magnificent, Sulayman, Sultan Hasan, Maqsud of
Kashan, Buhzad, Sultan-Muhammad, Muhammad Ibn al-Zayn
Key Cultural Terms: caliph, sultan, emir, Kufic
Key Religious Terms: Hijra, Koran, Hadith, imam, surah
Key Art Terms: tesserae, pyxis (pl. pyxides), calligraphy, finial, Samarqand ware, mosaic tilework, cuerda seca,
enamel
Key Architectural Terms: mosque, maqsura, horseshoe-shaped arches, arcade, blind arcade, engaged columns,
minarets, mihrab, mihrab dome, minbar, hypostyle hall, iwan, qibla, muqarna,
Context:
History: Muhammad born c. 570 CE in Mecca – at age 40, receives calling as a prophet of a new religion. Died 632 CE,
recognized Christians, Jews, and Arabs as descendants of Abraham. (he recognized Jesus, but not as divine) Only
Muhammad’s teachings preserve God’s (Allah) true message. Muhammad was not divine, but a prophet. Koran,
Islamic holy book (The Word of God), is a collection of moral laws as revealed to Muhammad and written down after
Muhammad’s death by the caliph Uthman (644-656). The Koran is supplemented by the Sunna (moral sayings of
Muhammad) and anecdotes of his exemplary deeds) Caliphs descendants of families of the Prophet Islam spread
rapidly through North Africa and conquered Spain in the 8th century, Constantinople fell to Turks in 1453. Islam
(caliphs) established new social order and took complete charge of temporal as well as spiritual affairs. Islam
sponsored advanced scholarship and the translation of Greco-Roman texts from all areas of learning.
Islamic Beliefs and Ritual
Five Pillars of Faith: the reward for observing these is Paradise
Muhammad did not set up any priesthood or church, but the Koran’s “Five Pillars” is guide of duties for all life’s
endeavors
AP Art History
BET 1: Islamic Art–Chapter 10 Unit Sheet Mrs. Cook
1.
2.
3.
Reciting the creed: “There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God”
Daily prayer (3-5 times) facing Mecca and Fridays in a mosque
Abstinence of food, drink, and sexual activity during the daylight hours of Ramadan (9th lunar-holymonth)
4. Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once before death
5. The duty of almsgiving
Ritual centered on daily prayer and pilgrimage without other rituals or hierarchical spiritually privileged priesthood.
Mosques-places of daily prayer: the faithful would be called to prayer by the muezzin in the mosque’s minaret, enter
enclosed courtyard, engaged in ritual washing, enter mosque and begin individual prayer on their knees facing Mecca.
The direction of Mecca was marked by a sacred niche, or mihrab, in the qibla wall (opposite to the entrance). In front
of the mihrab was an elaborately decorated dome marking the exclusive enclosure for the caliph called a
madksourah. No images of anything living were allowed in Islamic mosques, only elaborate interweaving designs
called arabesques, and calligraphic passages of text. Surfaces are covered with rich, flat, linear patterns of Geometric
and organic design.
Vocabulary:
Techniques:
Allah
Caliph Koran Mecca Calligraphic
mosque
horseshoe arch
mihrab
spoila
qibla wall
arabesque
Sunna Hejira
maqsura Madksourah minaret
Voussoirs hypostyle hall maqarnas
muezzin
Ideas and Concepts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
How does the use and design of a sacred space reflect the religious experiences and rituals that take place
there?
How is large scale Islamic sacred architecture also an expression of political power?
Who were the Ottomans? When was the Ottoman Empire it its peak? What were their rulers especially
known for?
Know the history of Islamic rule in Spain with special attention to the Mosque at Cordoba, the
Alhambra, and Sinan’s Mosque of SelimII in Edrine, Turkey.
History of Islam:
Muhammad (the prophet) founder of religion – born c. 570 CE in Mecca
• At age of 40, receives calling as a prophet of new religion. Dies in 632 CE
• Muhammad recognized Christians, Jews, and Arabs as descendants of Abraham and recognized Jesus, but not as divine
• Only Muhammad’s teachings preserve God’s (Allah) true message
• Muhammad was NOT divine – only seen as a prophet
Islam spread rapidly
• By the 8th century conquered North Africa and Spain (785 CE)
• Constantinople fell in 1453 CE
• Islam (through the work of the caliphs) established new social order in regions and took complete charge of temporal as
well as spiritual affairs
• Islam sponsored advanced scholarship and the translation of Greco-Roman texts from all areas of learning
Koran is the Islamic holy book (The Word of God)
• Collection of moral laws as revealed to Muhammad and written down after Muhammad’s death by the caliph Uthman
(644-656)
• The Koran is supplemented by the Sunna (moral sayings of Muhammad and anecdotes of his exemplary deeds) (Caliphs
are seen as descendants of the Prophet)
Islamic Beliefs and Ritual
• Islamic rituals centered on daily prayer and pilgrimage, without other rituals or a hierarchical spiritually privileged
priesthood.
• Muhammad did not set up any priesthood or church, but the Koran’s “Five Pillars” became a guide for the duties of all
life’s endeavors
The Five tenants of Islam are:
AP Art History
BET 1: Islamic Art–Chapter 10 Unit Sheet Mrs. Cook
1. Reciting the creed: “There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God”
2. Daily prayer (3-5 times) facing Mecca and Fridays in a mosque
3. Abstinence of food, drink, and sexual activity during the daylight hours of Ramadan (9th lunar-holy-month)
4. Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once before death
5. The duty of giving to the poor and needy
The reward for observing the above is Paradise.
Islamic Mosques
•
•
•
•
Mosques are places of daily prayer. The faithful would be called to prayer from a crier in the mosques.
Minaret enter enclosed courtyard, engaged in ritual washing, enter mosque and begin individual prayer on their knees
facing Mecca
The direction of Mecca was marked by a sacred niche, or mihrab, in the qibla wall (opposite to the entrance). In
front of the mihrab was an elaborately decorated dome marking the exclusive enclosure for the caliph called a
madksourah.
No images of anything living were allowed in Islamic mosques, only elaborate interweaving designs called
arabesques and calligraphic passages of text. Surfaces are covered with rich, flat, linear patterns of Geometric
and organic design.