Islamic Art Revision

Introduction Islamic civilization is based upon a monotheist religion The expansion of this culture led to the creation of Muslim civilization In Spain they created Al-Andalus

Islamic civilization is based upon a monotheist religion

The expansion of this culture led to the creation of Muslim civilization

In Spain they created Al-Andalus

Characteristics Iconoclast art: it is forbidden to depict their God’s image Stylised: it is ant naturalistic and full of geometry Mutability: show that things are ephemeral, using poor materials and repetitions to create light effects Decorative: Vegetal ( Ataurique ) Geometric (lace) Arabesc (flowers and calligraphy)

Iconoclast art: it is forbidden to depict their God’s image

Stylised: it is ant naturalistic and full of geometry

Mutability: show that things are ephemeral, using poor materials and repetitions to create light effects

Decorative:

Vegetal ( Ataurique )

Geometric (lace)

Arabesc (flowers and calligraphy)

Architectonic Typology The main buildings of Islamic architecture are: Religious: Mosque Madrasa Mausoleum Civil: Palace Fortress Engineering works Carevanserai

The main buildings of Islamic architecture are:

Religious:

Mosque

Madrasa

Mausoleum

Civil:

Palace

Fortress

Engineering works

Carevanserai

Architecture: Characteristics It is a synthesis of: Byzantium Copte Christian Buildings are not high, horizontality is underlined The main building is the mosque Materials are poor in general: brick, tiles, wax Shapes tend to be cubic Hemispheric domes High towers ( minaret )

It is a synthesis of:

Byzantium

Copte

Christian

Buildings are not high, horizontality is underlined

The main building is the mosque

Materials are poor in general: brick, tiles, wax

Shapes tend to be cubic

Hemispheric domes

High towers ( minaret )

Architecture: Characteristics Supports: Column and pillar Slim and stylised Reused capitals Cimacio over the capital Covers: great variety: Flat covers Vaults and domes: Groin vaults Pierced Crafted Muqarna

Supports:

Column and pillar

Slim and stylised

Reused capitals

Cimacio over the capital

Covers: great variety:

Flat covers

Vaults and domes:

Groin vaults

Pierced

Crafted

Muqarna

Architecture: Characteristics Arches: Types: Horse-shoe Polylobulate Pointed horse-shoe Combination of colours Very decorative Walls covered with tiles

Arches:

Types:

Horse-shoe

Polylobulate

Pointed horse-shoe

Combination of colours

Very decorative

Walls covered with tiles

Mosque It is the centre of social life It consists of a squared area covered by a dome It is organised around a courtyard In one side there is a tower to call for the pray: minaret The main wall is directed to Mecca Its origin is the Mahomet’s house in Medina

It is the centre of social life

It consists of a squared area covered by a dome

It is organised around a courtyard

In one side there is a tower to call for the pray: minaret

The main wall is directed to Mecca

Its origin is the Mahomet’s house in Medina

Mosque Structure: Courtyard or Shan, uncovered Qibla: wall directed to Mecca Mirhab: niche open in the quibla and holiest place of the mosque Maqsura: area in front of the Mirhab reserved for the caliph Mimbar or pulpit Haram or pray rooms Minaret: tower to call for the pray

Structure:

Courtyard or Shan, uncovered

Qibla: wall directed to Mecca

Mirhab: niche open in the quibla and holiest place of the mosque

Maqsura: area in front of the Mirhab reserved for the caliph

Mimbar or pulpit

Haram or pray rooms

Minaret: tower to call for the pray

Sahn Qibla Mihrab Maqsura Minbar Haram Minaret

Mosque Typology: With hypostyle room With central plan covered with a dome With iwans or building on the sides (Iran)

Typology:

With hypostyle room

With central plan covered with

a dome

With iwans or building on the sides

(Iran)

Madrasa Building which functions as a teaching institution primarily of Islamic sciences They are linked to a mosque Inside there were Classrooms Students’ rooms

Building which functions as a teaching institution primarily of Islamic sciences

They are linked to a mosque

Inside there were

Classrooms

Students’ rooms

Mausoleum Tombs of important people. There were big constructions

Tombs of important people.

There were big constructions

Palace They were royal residences They consisted of a lot of rooms Gardens, courtyards and fountains were common.

They were royal residences

They consisted of a lot of rooms

Gardens, courtyards and fountains were common.

Fortress These buildings were prepared for defence They were surrounded by walls and built in high places, easy to defend.

These buildings were prepared for defence

They were surrounded by walls and built in high places, easy to defend.

Caravanserai Roadside building that provides shelter to travellers and their animals They were located in the middle of caravan routes They had a first floor with a courtyard and spaces for animals and products The top floor was for travellers.

Roadside building that provides shelter to travellers and their animals

They were located in the middle of caravan routes

They had a first floor with

a courtyard and spaces

for animals and products

The top floor was for travellers.

Bridges It was common the use of ogee arches Sometimes they are covered.

It was common the use of ogee arches

Sometimes they are covered.

Other Buildings Observatory Bazaar Bath houses

Islamic Art in Spain Three periods can be distinguished: Califal Almohade Nazari

Three periods can be distinguished:

Califal

Almohade

Nazari

Islamic Art in Spain Cordoba’s mosque is the most important work of the Califal style. Its construction began in 8th century and it was enlarge until 833.

Islamic Art in Spain The present building is the product of the fusion of the building iniciated by Abderraman I on the space formerly occupied by a christian church, whose constructive materials were reused in the new building. After that it was enlarged by Abderraman II and Almansur.

Islamic Art in Spain Cordoba’s mosque structure Mihrab Qibla Sabil or fountain Sahu or courtyard Minaret

Islamic Art in Spain The outside is similar to a fortress, with walls ending in crenelations and reforced by butresses. Limestome pieces are combined to underline the aspect of fortress.

Islamic Art in Spain The internal space gives a uniformity impression due to the identical naves. It is a non-differenced space where horizontality is dominant.

The internal space gives a uniformity impression due to the identical naves.

It is a non-differenced

space where

horizontality is

dominant.

Islamic Art in Spain Columns have shaft without lines Capitals are corinthian but very simplified Over them appears the cimacio to make them higher Arches combine two colours There are horse-shoe arches in the first line and high semicircular arches on the second line.

Columns have shaft without lines

Capitals are corinthian but very simplified

Over them appears the cimacio to make them higher

Arches combine two colours

There are horse-shoe arches in the first line and high semicircular arches on the second line.

Islamic Art in Spain Two coloured voissoirs Semicircular arches on the second line Horse-shoe arches over the columns, both of them sustained by the supports Two supports one over the other with a pilar elevated

Islamic Art in Spain The most luxurious part is the mihrab The interior is covered in wax Every type of decoration is used.

The most luxurious part is the mihrab

The interior is covered in wax

Every type of decoration is used.

Islamic Art in Spain The mihrab is covered by a nerved dome It is built on an octagonal basis The nerves are not crossed in the centre, leaving an open space, it is a gallonate dome It is a symbol of divine wisdom

The mihrab is covered by a nerved dome

It is built on an octagonal basis

The nerves are not crossed in the centre, leaving an open space, it is a gallonate dome

It is a symbol of divine wisdom

Islamic Art in Spain The maqsura is an space in front of the mihrab that was reserved for the caliph It was covered by four nerved domes, the same as in the mihrab. It was limited by polylobulate arches, aligned in two one over the other. Over there they are horse-shoe arches with small decorative columns.

The maqsura is an space in front of the mihrab that was reserved for the caliph

It was covered by four nerved domes, the same as in the mihrab.

It was limited by polylobulate arches, aligned in two one over the other.

Over there they are horse-shoe arches with small decorative columns.

Islamic Art in Spain Madinat al Zahra

Madinat al Zahra

Islamic Art in Spain Aljaferia palace was built during the Taifa time (11th century) It is defensive.

Aljaferia palace was built during the Taifa time (11th century)

It is defensive.

Islamic Art in Spain During the Almohad invasion towers were frequent. They have an obvious defensive character.

During the Almohad invasion towers were frequent.

They have an obvious defensive character.

Islamic Art in Spain The buildings have different sections All of them are quite closed on the basis, to have more windows in higher positions They can have crenelations.

The buildings have different sections

All of them are quite closed on the basis, to have more windows in higher positions

They can have crenelations.

Islamic Art in Spain The last period of Islamic Art in Spain is the Nazari. The main building is the Alhambra palace, in Grenade It is a big complex built in the 14th century.

The last period of Islamic Art in Spain is the Nazari.

The main building is the Alhambra palace, in Grenade

It is a big complex built in the 14th century.

Islamic Art in Spain Different parts were added along History The original nucleus it the Comares courtyard Other important parts are Arrayans and Lions’ courtyards.

Different parts were added along History

The original nucleus it the Comares courtyard

Other important parts are Arrayans and Lions’ courtyards.

Islamic Art in Spain The alcazaba is the defensive part In this area stone is dominant in the walls The rest of the construction is made of brick.

The alcazaba is the defensive part

In this area stone is dominant in the walls

The rest of the construction is made of brick.

Islamic Art in Spain The centre of the building is the Comares palace, to which the main rooms open This area is built around the Arrayans courtyard The inside is delicately decorated.

The centre of the building is the Comares palace, to which the main rooms open

This area is built around the Arrayans courtyard

The inside is delicately decorated.

Islamic Art in Spain Nazari columns are made in white marble They are crowned by different kind of capitals They are characterised by being delicate and fragile.

Nazari columns are made in white marble

They are crowned by different kind of capitals

They are characterised by being delicate and fragile.

Islamic Art in Spain Materials are poor Brick is covered with wax Marble is reserved for columns and floors Wood is used in some decorations and mainly in the ceilings The effect is of richness and sumptuous

Materials are poor

Brick is covered with wax

Marble is reserved for columns and floors

Wood is used in some decorations and mainly in the ceilings

The effect is of richness and sumptuous

Islamic Art in Spain Nature is essential Everything is though to delight the senses: The endless noise of water in the fountains The gardens that can be seen from the windows When water is calmed it acts as a mirror, duplicating architectures.

Nature is essential

Everything is though to delight the senses:

The endless noise of water in the fountains

The gardens that can be seen from the windows

When water is calmed it acts as a mirror, duplicating architectures.

Islamic Art in Spain The Lions’ Courtyard is surrounded by elegant columns It is the space between the external light and the internal shade and freshness It symbolised paradise with the zodiacal lions and the four rivers that fertilize the world

The Lions’ Courtyard is surrounded by elegant columns

It is the space between the external light and the internal shade and freshness

It symbolised paradise with the zodiacal lions and the four rivers that fertilize the world

Islamic Art in Spain Some stances are covered by muqarna domes (The Two Sisters’ room) This vault symbolises the cosmos, moving around and full of divine light It suggest the shape of a star.

Some stances are covered by muqarna domes (The Two Sisters’ room)

This vault symbolises the cosmos, moving around and full of divine light

It suggest the shape of a star.

Islamic Art in Spain Decoration is sumptuous and delicate It uses atauriqe, epigraphy, lace and sebka or a net of rhombus made of mixed lobulate arches combined. Materials are characterised by Colour Light reflection

Decoration is sumptuous and delicate

It uses atauriqe, epigraphy, lace and sebka or a net of rhombus made of mixed lobulate arches combined.

Materials are characterised by

Colour

Light reflection

Islamic Art in Spain Muqarnas appear in arches They look to be elegant curtains It imitates lace work. Muqarnas also decorate roofs, mainly vaults.

Muqarnas appear in arches

They look to be elegant curtains

It imitates lace work.

Muqarnas also decorate roofs, mainly vaults.

Islamic Art in Spain In ceilings flat cover dominates Some rooms are covered by fully decorated domes In the rest of the cases wood dominate.

In ceilings flat cover dominates

Some rooms are covered by fully decorated domes

In the rest of the cases wood dominate.

Islamic Art in Spain There are summer palaces, as El Partal As important as the palace itself is the garden and the pound in front The building is simple, with great arches flanked by alfiz.

There are summer palaces, as El Partal

As important as the palace itself is the garden and the

pound in front

The building is simple, with great arches flanked by alfiz.

Islamic Art in Spain The Generalife repeats the scheme of other palaces in Alhambra Water and shade were essential elements to maintain a fresh atmosphere

The Generalife repeats the scheme of other palaces in Alhambra

Water and shade were essential elements to maintain a fresh atmosphere