Islamic Art
General Characteristics
• Calligraphy • Preference for patterns • Figural Images – secular art
General Characteristics Continued
• Media
– “decorative arts”
• Patrons • Artists
Periods of Art
• Early Islamic Period • Early Medieval Period • Late Medieval Period
• Late Islamic Period
Early Islamic Period
History
• Muhammed c.570– 632 • Qur'an - “recite” • Successors
– Umayyads – Abbasids
Plaque with king on horseback
Cosmetic Container
Qur’an
• Standard arrangement during Abbasid period • Followed tradition of Byzantium manuscripts • Kufric script replaces by 9th century
Kufric
• city al-Kufa • Black or dark brown ink • Created on parchment
Architectural Decoration
Early Medieval Period
General Artistic Style
• Strong Regional characteristics • Greater use of figural decoration & forms
Fatimid Egypt and Syria
• Wealth & opulence • Decorative arts
• Beads & lusterware & jewelry
Beads detail
Rock Crystal vase
Marvered & Combed Glass
Jewelry
Islamic Spain
• More conservative environment • Uncertainty in government • Refines older styles
Calligraphy example
Astrolabe
Ceramics
Late Medieval Period
• Mongol invasions – 13th Century
– Hülagü, Il-Khan
• Captial in Tabriz • Empire falls in 1335
General Artistic Style
• Influence of Chinese designs and motifs • Incredible creativity • Dynastic patrons • Role of manuscript illumination
King Khusraw Parviz Listening to Barbad the Concealed Musician, 13th Century
Luxury Vessels
Calligraphy
Alhambra
• Nasrid Dynasty of Spain • Grenada
• Residence of royalty by the 13th century • 1492 – Charles V takes over
Alhambra courtyard
Details
Mosaic Work
Late Islamic Period
• Period of dynasties
– Safavids – Iran – Mongols – India – Ottomans – Anatolia, Arab lands, Eastern Europe
• Sulayman the Magnificent (r.1520 1560)
Pottery
Pottery
Textiles
Painting
Man with pitchfork, 1634