Islamic Art

Historical Background:The Prophet Mohammed was born in Arabia in 570 CE, at the height of the Byzantine Empire. A trader, married to a wealthy widow, he experiences a spiritual awakening in his early middle age, receiving the word of God (Quran) from the angel Gabriel. He begins preaching in Mecca, criticizing the wealthiest residents who benefit most from the pilgrimages made by pagan Arabs to visit the idols housed in the Kaaba, built by Abraham. He’s forced to flee from Mecca (flight known as the Hegira) and goes to Medina, where his preaching gathers followers. Becoming both a spiritual and temporal military leader, he gathers his forces and returns to conquer Mecca in the first Holy War, in the name of Allah. He preaches submission to God, equality of all before God, strict monotheism, obedience to God's requirements: prayers facing Mecca 5x/day, fasting during Ramadan, giving alms to the poor, pilgrimage to Mecca (if possible) once during lifetime, following dietary restrictions. Islam becomes the fastest-growing religion in world history.

5 Pillars of IslamDeclaration of FaithPrayer (salat)Zacat or TitheThe Fast of Ramadan (9th month of the Islamic calendar)Pilgrimage

Dedication of FaithThere is no god but God (Allah) and Muhammed is his ProphetTo become a Muslim one need only make this simple declaration of faithIslam has absolute MonotheismMohammed transmits the direct word of GodUnlike Christ, Muhammed, while the perfect man is not divine – the preeminent role model

Prayer (Salat)5 times a day (daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, evening, sunset)Alone or together, indoors or outPreferable to pray with others, demonstrating brotherhoodFace Mecca when praying, toward the Kaaba (house of God believed to have been built by Abraham and Ismail)Once a week on Friday, gather for the Sabbath at a mosque or Islamic center

Zakat or TitheMeans “purification”Individual and communal responsibility to care for the poorNot veiwed as Charity; it is an obligationFunctions as a form of social security

The fast of RamadanOnce a year in the 9th month of the Islamic calendarRepresents the first revelation of the Quran to MuhammedIF health permits – abstain from food, drink and sexual activity from dawn to sunsetA discipline to stimulate religious reflectionEnds with a special feast (resembles Christmas with gifts, food, etc.)

Haji or the PilgrimageAt least once in a lifetime (if able) to MeccaEvery year more than 2,000,000 make the journey to form a community of faithPilgrims wear simple clothing to symbolize purityThe Eid al-Adha occurs toward the end: The Feast of the Sacrifice

The Kaabaan ancient stone structure that was built and re-built by prophets as a house of monotheistic worshiplocated inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia15 meters high and 10-12 meters wide. an ancient, simple structure made of graniteserves as a focal and unifying point among the Muslim peopleAccording to the Qur'an, the Ka'aba was built by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael as a house of monotheistic worship

an ancient stone structure that was built and re-built by prophets as a house of monotheistic worship

located inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

15 meters high and 10-12 meters wide.

an ancient, simple structure made of granite

serves as a focal and unifying point among the Muslim people

Islamic ArchitectureBuilt to accommodate as many worshippers as possible in prostrate position: Communal PrayerNo elaborate ritual with a center of visual attention (like an altar)Emphasizes horizontality as opposed to verticality (Christian Churches). Roofed part held up by a combination of arches/columns called a hypostyle hall.Worshipers face Mecca. Wall opposite entrance faces Mecca (quibla).Quibla usually marked by a niche (often domed) called a mihrab.Ornamentation prohibits use of graven images (no 3-D forms of humans or animals)Decorations utilize patterns of: 1. Geometric figures 2. Intertwining plant forms 3. Calligraphy of Arabic quotations from Quran.Exterior has at least one minaret, up which the muezzin climbs to call for prayer.

The Dome of the Rock691

The Night Journey of Muhammad on His Steed, Buraq; leaf from a copy of the Bustan of Sacdi, dated 1514. From Bukhara, Uzbekistan.

Built on the site of the first Temple of Solomonearliest still-extant Muslim structurebuilt by Caliph Abd al-Malik in 691represents the Muslims' acquisition of a near-complete Romano-Byzantine architectural programatypical Islamic religious structuremakes use of the pointed arch, which was later used in Romanesque churches

Built on the site of the first Temple of Solomon

earliest still-extant Muslim structure

built by Caliph Abd al-Malik in 691

represents the Muslims' acquisition of a near-complete Romano-Byzantine architectural program

atypical Islamic religious structure

makes use of the pointed arch, which was later used in Romanesque churches

Islamic ArtDome of the Rock, JerusalemHouses the rock from which it is said Mohammed ascended to heavenOctagonal planInspired by centrally planned churchesCommanding view of the dome raised on a drumProfusion of exterior and interior decorationCalligraphyArabesqueTessellationInspired by rounded Roman arches, but adding alternating striped stones

The Alhambra, 1338 - 1390

Islamic ArchitectureThe Alhambra, GranadaOriginally a military fortificationLater reconstructed as a palaceSlender columns set inside walls and abut window framesFinely chiseled marble gives the effect of transparencyMarble cut in honeycomb pattern on ceilingStone inset in ceilings hangs like stalactites, and double sets of windows provide lightSmall bubbling fountains provide reliefCanals pass water among the buildingsCalligraphyArabesqueTessellationMajor emphasis on mathematics and symmetry

Escher's Sketch of the tessellations in Alhambra, Spain

Court of the LionsFountain surrounded by lions, demonstrating some secular use of animal forms.Lion form derives from lamassu.Lions are crudely carved, indicating infrequency with subject in art.Poem carved in fountain rim describing how fierce the lions would be if not out of respect for the king.

Fountain surrounded by lions, demonstrating some secular use of animal forms.

Lion form derives from lamassu.

Lions are crudely carved, indicating infrequency with subject in art.

Poem carved in fountain rim describing how fierce the lions would be if not out of respect for the king.

Great Mosque, Córdoba, 786

Built by 'Abd al-Rahman I, who escaped from Syria to the Iberian Peninsula after his family was massacred by a rival political dynasty circa 750 by he Abassid revolt. Only surviving member of the Ummayyad dynasty. – 800 family members massacred at peace banquetConsecrated as a Christian Cathedral in 1236 by Ferdinand III, king of Castille

Islamic ArtGreat Mosque, Córdoba, begun in 786An infinite sea of columns on the interior (columns harvested from existing Roman and Visigothic buildings.Short columns (c. 9 feet) necessitated 2-tiered arches to raise ceiling and increase light.Columns interlace with each otherColumns have capitals, but no basesArches are rounded, with alternating stripes (red brick and white marble)Columns represent endless number of worshippersAll face the mihrabRich, varied visual effects & highly decorative

Hypostyle Hall in Cordoba

The Taj Mahal1640 - 43

Islamic ArchitectureThe Taj Mahal, Agra 1632-48Burial place of Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to her 14th childEnclosed by a large red sandstone wall to provide a focused viewVast symbolic image of Islamic paradiseSymmetricalHarmoniousMinarets act to balance the compositionTypical of Islamic architecture: one large central arch, framed by two smaller arches one above the otherSquare plan with chamfered cornersSmall kiosks around domeDome has an onion shape (ancestry in the Byzantine empire)Intricate floral and geometric inlaysCalligraphy across façade and on interior

Great Mosque at Damascus, 705-711The earliest Muslim building on a gigantic scaleBuilt inside the fortified outer enclosure of a Roman sanctuaryHad been a Christian church until caliph al-Walid I, demolished and used the material The square corner towers are the earliest known minarets – became common feature on many mosquesEarly interior decoration consisted of mosaics featuring landscapes and city scenesFlat uniform patterning similar to textile design

The earliest Muslim building on a gigantic scale

Built inside the fortified outer enclosure of a Roman sanctuary

Had been a Christian church until caliph al-Walid I, demolished and used the material

The square corner towers are the earliest known minarets – became common feature on many mosques

Early interior decoration consisted of mosaics featuring landscapes and city scenes

Flat uniform patterning similar to textile design

Palace at Mshatta, 743Square fortified palaceNote the sculpted façade which employs intricate plant forms and animalsEmploys an arabesque pattern – forshadows the Islamic fascination with geometric interlacing which often dominates interior decorationcaliph Harun al-Rashid writes with CharlemagneDestroyed by Mongol hordes in 1258

Square fortified palace

Note the sculpted façade which employs intricate plant forms and animals

Employs an arabesque pattern – forshadows the Islamic fascination with geometric interlacing which often dominates interior decoration

caliph Harun al-Rashid writes with Charlemagne

Destroyed by Mongol hordes in 1258

Great Mosque at Samarra, 850Largest mosque in the worldCould have accomodated 100,000 people gathered for prayer10 acres largeAll that remains: exterior walls and 164’ high spiral minaret

Largest mosque in the world

Could have accomodated 100,000 people gathered for prayer

10 acres large

All that remains: exterior walls and 164’ high spiral minaret

Mosque of Ibn Tulun at Cairo, 877Well preservedNew Muslim city near Memphis in EgyptThe earliest of Islamic buildings in Cairo which had a great impact on Medieval architecture in EuropeAisled portico on the fourth wall contains several mihrabs (unusual)Sharply pointed arches suported by massive bricks piers into whose corners are set little columns (columnettes) – used extensively in Christian churches in the Middle AgesVast spaces of courtyard and arcades produce an effect of spiritual granduer not to be seen until the Gothic churches.

Well preserved

New Muslim city near Memphis in Egypt

The earliest of Islamic buildings in Cairo which had a great impact on Medieval architecture in Europe

Aisled portico on the fourth wall contains several mihrabs (unusual)

Sharply pointed arches suported by massive bricks piers into whose corners are set little columns (columnettes) – used extensively in Christian churches in the Middle Ages

Vast spaces of courtyard and arcades produce an effect of spiritual granduer not to be seen until the Gothic churches.

The Great Mosque at Isfahan 15th - 18th centuriesContains no less than 476 vaults, almost all domesFirst of a new type with 4 iwans

The Madrasa of Sultan Hasan 14th Century

Mosque of Selim II, 1569Ottoman Empire begins around 1300Located in EdirneAfter the fall of ConstantinopleThis mosque based on the model of St. Sophia, even though a little differentDoes use flying buttresses adapted from Gothic architectureDesigned by the great Islamic architect Sinan who also worked extensively in Constantinople

Ottoman Empire begins around 1300

Located in Edirne

After the fall of Constantinople

This mosque based on the model of St. Sophia, even though a little different

Does use flying buttresses adapted from Gothic architecture

Designed by the great Islamic architect Sinan who also worked extensively in Constantinople

CalligraphyTopkapi Palace Museum

Islamic PaintingHuman or animal figures of any kind theoretically bannedGenerally in effect against large-scale representational art for public displayOrnate decorations on practical itmes (incense burners, cloth embroidery)Heavy use in book illustrationMerging of outside/insideNo sense of true 3-D space

Development of PaperA third important reason for the Golden Age was the establishment of a paper mill (factory) in Baghdad. Paper was first invented in China and then the Muslims learned how it was made. (Actually Chinese papermakers were taken prisoner and forced to teach their captors how to make paper) Soon paper replaced parchment (the skin of animals) and papyrus (a plant made into a kind of "paper" in ancient Egypt). The development of paper made it possible for a great many people to get books and learn from them. This was an important advance which affected education and scholarship.

Bahram Gur in the Green PavilionKhamsa.Tabriz, 1481

Suleyman the Magnificent as a young man" Semailname, Nakkas Osman 1579Gentile Bellini "The Sultan Mehmet II" (1480) National Gallery, London

Socrates and his StudentsMukhtar al-Hikam wa-Mahasin al-Kalim ('Choice Maxims and Finest Sayings')by Al-Mubashshir.Syria, beginning of 13th century