The Art and Architecture of Islam

Islam 101• Monotheistic religion-“Surrender”

• Worshipper of Islam =Muslim

• Believe in the teachings of Muhammad, God’s final prophet

• Qur’an (Koran) was revealed to Mohammed

• Koran and Sunna are the foundation of the Muslim faith

• Muhammad is the restorer of the original religion by the prophets Abraham, Moses

• Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad/pray 5x daily in the direction of this city

• 2nd largest religion in the world

One God

• Truly monotheistic do not believe in a Trinity like Christianity

• God is described in a chapter of the Qur'an as "…God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute”

• Worship of other gods is forbidden

Images

• No representation of humans or animals allowed in sacred buildings• Could be perceived as worship of another god

• Development of beautiful, intricate lettering and designs• Calligraphy• Arabesque• Tessellations

• Writing in Arabic script

• Writing of the Koran

• Highest level of Islamic art

Calligraphy

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.

Dome of the Rock, Temple Mount in Jerusalem, 691 CE

• Octagonal wooden building

• Reliquary shrine-holds a sacred object. This is not a mosque

• Holds the rock Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven on. Prophet’s Night Journey.

• Same rock Jews believe Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac on

• Golden dome

• Intricate calligraphy and arabesque designs

• Done in ceramic tile

The rock on the interior-only Muslims allowed inside the shrine

Five pillars of islamic faith

• Shahādah - Profession of faith

• Salah – Prayer 5 times a day

• Zakâh - Giving to the poor

• Sawm - Fasting during Ramadan

• Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca

Mihrab• Niche in the wall in

a mosque

• Indicates the qibla, or direction of Mecca, which is the direction of prayer

• Qibla wall-wall where mihrab is-faces Mecca

Mihrab (prayer niche)

• Ornately decorated

• Vary in size

• Meant to look like a doorway-entering Mecca

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

•Influence of Rome:

• double arches

• Columns re-used from old temples

•Hypostyle hall-no central focus

•Striped voussoirs

• Complex dome over the mihrab supported by elaborate squinches

The Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1653. INDIAN ISLAMIC ART

• Name means “Crown Palace’

• Named after a Shah’s wife (Mumtaz Mahal) who died giving birth to his 14th child

• Built as a tomb for both her and her husband-interred there

• Typical Islamic feature of 1 large arch surrounded by two smaller arches on either side

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/TajCenotaphs3.jpg