ISLAMIC ART AND ARCHITECTURE

Page from Koran – Kufic Script

• Word of God recorded in Koran (recitation)• Arabic adopted as uniform script to transcribe revelations• Act of transcribing the Koran became sacred• Words of God are divine, act of writing the words and the writing itself

should be divine as well• Calligraphy widely used - beautiful

Prophet Muhammad & His Companions Going to the Fair – 14th Century

• Accompanied by Abu Bakr & Ali

• Islam discouraged use of figurative images

• Prophets face blank

• Traveling to seek support of his powerful uncle for conversion

DOME OF THE ROCK - JERUSALEM

• 687-691• OLDEST SURVIVING ISLAMIC

SANCTUARY• HOLIEST SITE IN ISLAM AFTER

MECCA & MEDINA• 24 CARAT GOLD DOME

ARABESQUE

• SYSTEM OF ISLAMIC DESIGN• NON-DESCRIPTIVE• NON-FIGURAL ART• PURE ABSTRACTION &

ORGANIC DESIGN• GEOMETRIC DESIGNS,

SCROLLING VINES• CALLIGRAPHY – HIGHEST

ART FORM

MIHRAB – NICHE IN WALL THAT INDICATES THE “QIBLA” THAT IS THE DIRECTION OF THE KAABA IN MECCA

(BOTH OF THESE IN CAIRO)

GREAT MOSQUE AT CORDOBA- BEGUN 785

PORTABLE ARTS• BRONZE STATUE 42 INCHES• MAY HAVE ORIGINALLY BEEN A

FOUNTAIN SPOUT• SAT ON TOP OF PISA CATHEDRAL

FROM ABOUT 1100-1828• MOST LIKELY TAKEN AS BOOTY BY

CRUSADERS DURING 1ST CRUSADE 1096

• PORTABLE ARTS POPULAR BECAUSE EASY TO CARRY WHILE TRAVELING

TAJ MAHAL – MOST FAMOUS OF ALL ISLAMIC MAUSOLEUMS – 1632-54