Islamic art and architecture developed following the spread of Islam across North Africa, the Middle East and beyond. Key characteristics include a prohibition on depicting humans which led to a focus on calligraphy and geometric patterns inspired by nature. Important architectural elements include domes, pointed arches, and horseshoe arches which allowed for taller buildings, as well as minarets and mihrabs. Famous structures showcase these styles, such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Alhambra Palace in Spain.

1. Islamic Art and
Architecture

2. The Spread of Islam
• By the time of
Muhammad’s
death in 632,
he had united
most of Arabia
under Islam
• Over the next
century,
Muslim forces
conquered
North Africa,
Persia, Spain
and what is
now Pakistan

3. Art
• Muslim philosophy about art: no
depiction of human beings (figurative
art seen as competing with the
omnipotence of God)
• So Muslim art developed away from
depiction of humanity and focused on
geometric design and calligraphy

4. Calligraphy
• Most important form of art because the
Qu’ran is written in Arabic
• Beautiful writing decorates mosques,
palace walls,
metalwork,
pottery, stone, glass,
wood, textiles

6. Geometric Design
• Complex geometric
patterns give impression of
unending series of
repetitions (illustrates
infinite nature of God)
• Influenced also by Arab nomadic culture –
life under the stars, in endless desert, gave
them love of surfaces filled with radiant,
boundless patterns, and lush visions of
paradise and vines

7. Geometric Design
•Some common patterns:
– Stars
– Tesselations –designs repeated, filled in,
interlocking
– Arabesque –motif of leaves, vines, flowers or
lines

12. Islamic
Architecture

13. Elements of Islamic Architecture
Minaret: tall spire
with an onion-shaped
or conical
crown on mosques
from which the
muezzin calls the
faithful to prayer

14. Elements of Islamic Architecture
Dome: symbolizes vault of
heaven and divine dominance
engulfing the faithful; most
common forms are semi-circular
and onion-shaped domes

15. Elements of Islamic Architecture
Pointed Arch: centered load-bearing
thrust of the building on a vertical point,
so that more of the building's weight
could be supported outside, allowing for
thinner pillars and higher ceilings, giving
the building a lighter, more open feel.

16. Elements of Islamic Architecture
Horseshoe Arch: the half-circle
of the arch turns in on
itself before meeting the
supporting columns; allows
for greater height, visual
pattern and rhythm in design

17. Elements of Islamic Architecture
Mihrab - small
central niche that
marks the nearest
wall to Mecca, that
indicates the
direction Muslims
should face when
praying

18. Dome of the
Rock
Built on the site of the
Second Jewish Temple in
Jerusalem in 691
Enclosed the rock from
which the Prophet
Muhammad ascended to
heaven
The structure is octagonal
and the dome is borne by a
double system of pillars
and columns.

19. Suleyman Mosque, Istanbul
Blends Islamic and
Byzantine architectural
elements
Contains a
colonnaded
peristyle
and four
minarets,
only
allowed to
the mosque
of a sultan

20. Great Mosque at Cordoba
Considered a wonder of the medieval world, built in about 784
Most striking element: the system of columns supporting
double arcades of arches
which delight and baffle the
eye, making the columns
and arches appear to
intersect in different ways
depending upon where one
is standing

21. Alhambra Palace
built in the 13th century in Granada,
Spain - effect was that of an oasis
sparkles with running water, garden
terraces, pavilions, elevated walkways,
towers and turrets

22. Taj Mahal in Agra, India,
built in 1648 for Mumtaz
Mahal, the favorite wife
of Shah Jahan
Massive structure
standing in a
superb formal
water garden
Shimmering
white marble
façade conceals
the heavy brick
and rubble
construction
within