Download Principles of Islamic Art

Islamic Art
Basic Principles
What is meant by Islamic Art?
Learning Objectives
To understand the different forms of Islamic
Art.
To prepare an artwork based on the rules of
Islamic Art.
What
is
Islamic
Art?
Art that is influenced by Islam is
found in many places in the world.
• The influence may be cultural, or
• The influence may be religious
3 MAIN STYLES:
Geometric
Calligraphic
Medallions
Geometric
designs are
based on
mathematical
shapes.
Can you tell what shapes
these tiles are based on?
The
Calligraphic style
uses Arabic script as
the focal point of a
design.
This marble foundation stone from
Egypt is decorated in the
Calligraphic style.
The
Medallion style
usually has a central image
that is more important than
other elements of the design.
It is easy to see the medallion in
the center of this carpet from Iran.
Let’s Review!
Can you identify this style?
…and this one?
Last chance!
Here are the
answers:
This is the
GEOMETRIC STYLE!
This is a box in
the medallion
style. It was
carved from
ivory.
This science
dish was
designed in the
calligraphic
style. It says,
“Science, its
taste is bitter at
the beginning
but, at the end,
sweeter than
honey.
Blessing.”
That’s the end of the show!
Do you think you are ready to
test your skill?
The Dome of the Rock
The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic
shrine (or reliquary) and a major
landmark located on the Temple Mount in
Jerusalem. It was completed in 691,
making it the oldest extant Islamic building
in the world.
Muslims believe that Mohammed
ascended to Heaven from the rock inside
of this Dome. The building is only open to
Muslims.
Jews believe that it was on this rock that
Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, and
this stone may have once stood in
Solomon's Temple. Muslim tradition also
has it that it an angel will appear here with
a trumpet call to announce the Last
Judgment at end of the world.
This close-up photo of the lower
exterior of the Dome of the Rock
shows the magnificent tile work
done by Suleiman the
Magnificent in 1545. The arched
niches used to contain mosaics,
but they turned out to be too
delicate for the harsh winters and
Suleiman finally resolved the
problem by replacing them all
with tile. The Arabic inscription is
of verses from the Qur'an.
IMPORTANT NOTE!!
In the Islamic religion, it is
forbidden to worship other
Gods… Islamic art takes
this rule VERY seriously by
forbidding images of
animals or people (which
could represent Gods) in
their sacred buildings. For
this reason, art of Islamic
Holy places lacks figural
representations. Instead,
Islamic artists created
elaborate abstract designs.
Columns, arches and ambulatory inside the Dome.
Mihrab
A mihrab is a niche in the wall of
a mosque that indicates the
qibla, that is, the direction of
Mecca and hence the direction
that Muslims should face when
praying. The wall in which a
mihrab appears is thus the "qibla
wall."
Today, Mihrabs vary in size, are
usually ornately decorated and
often designed to give the
impression of an arched doorway
or a passage to Mecca.
Sayings of the Prophet
Muhammad are written in kufic
script on the borders of the
pointed arch of the niche.
Mihrab in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.
ISLAMIC ART
Mihrab (prayer niche)
Glazed ceramic tile
15th-16th Century
ISLAMIC ART
Cincinnati Art Museum
Arabesques
The arabesque is an
elaborative application of
repeating geometric forms
that often echo the forms of
plants and animals.
Arabesques are an element
of Islamic art usually found
decorating the walls of
mosques.
The Taj Mahal, Agra, India. ISLAMIC ART
Great Mosque of Cordoba (Spain)
Once one of the biggest mosques in the World, it’s now a Catholic Cathedral since the Spanish Inquisition.
Great Mosque of Cordoba
(Spain) - Interior
Once one of the biggest mosques in the
World, it’s now a Catholic Cathedral since the
Spanish Inquisition.