Islamic Art & Architecture

Faith, Pattern, Geometry

The Kaaba, Mecca. Pilgrims surrounding the Kaaba (dedicated by Mohammed)

Kaaba & Islam

Originally held various pagan icons Mohammed fled Medina (the hijira) for Mecca and threw out icons from the Kaaba (aniconism) Islam calls for worship of only one god

The Kaaba
Millions of faithful Muslims PILGRIMAGE or haij to Mecca Part of 5 pillars of Islam for those able to go Inscribed with a few verses of the Quran (Koran) FLASHCARD

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Pattern & Islam

Figurative art, especially religion, avoided Islamic artists use nonfigural ornament, text, arabesques (scrolling vines) & complex patterns

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However this varies by region/time frame.. What examples can you think of?

So how does this fit Islam?

Merchant al-Amin saw vision of angel in 610 CE Mohammed (messenger of God), went to Mecca Recited revelations of the angel in chanted verses His followers wrote down the verses, became the Quran Attracted 1000s of followers; but angered the powerful Fled Mecca for Medina (built first mosque) place of worship/prayer Returned to Mecca with army of 10,0000 Emptied the Kaaba - now symbolic center of all Muslim prayer and destination for the haij.

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5 Pillars of Islam

Allah (one god) : Mohammed = msgr Prayer facing Mecca 5x day (fountains in courtyards for ablutions/washing) Zakah - alms/tax to help poor Daily fasting during Ramadan (annual festival) Pilgrimage to Mecca circumambulate Kaaba What other monotheistic religions do you know of?

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The 4 Caliphs
Ruled after Mohammed 3rd Caliph Uthman - completed the Quran unifying force of the Arabic language Ali was the 4th caliph; power struggle - assassination in 661 DIVISIONS FROM THIS CONFLICT CONTINUE TODAY. Shia = followers of Ali as the one true caliph Sunni = believe all 4 caliphs were rightfully guided
Where are the Shias and Sunnis still fighting TODAY ?????

Arabic was used to study and teach, but also simply to delight the eye

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Early Dynasties of the Islamic Empire - Umayyads 661-750

The Dome of the Rock was the first great monument of Islamic Art. Following Alis assassination, Umayyad Dynasty founded (661750) Empire expanded into Persia, Egypt, Syria & Palestine w/in 20 years Went into India, N. Africa and Spain by the early 700s.

Built mosques and palaces from capital in Damascus.

The Spread of Islam in the Middle East and Europe

Four caliphs/followers of Mohammed succeeded --spread into India, Africa, Spain

Dome of the Rock, interior Jerusalem flashcard Begun 691 CE, Umayyad 1st great Islamic monument 3rd most holy site in Islam Built on holy site for Jews & Christians too; Islamic view : Mohammed completed the prophecies of those faiths Frieze of Quran writings of gold mosaic on turquoise background-oldest written Quran verses Oldest use of Quran in architecture

Golden dome, marble veneers, rich mosaics & patterned carpets Dome atop octagonal drum w/ arcades of piers and columns ambulatory aisles for faithful to walk around

Early Dynasties of the Islamic Empire

Ummayids were replaced by Abbasid dynasty in 750; Ruled from Baghdad until 1258. Abbassids borrowed artistically from Roman, Byzantium, China, Persia & India Abbassids; medicine, arts, literature

The Dome of the Rock was the first great momument of Islamic Art.

Mosque Features & Plans

Hypostyle (multicolumned) mosques such as the Great Mosque of Tunisia Added courtyard, flat roofed hypostyle prayer hall towards Mecca

Qibla wall - mihrab

Mihrab = niche for holy place, such as Torah scrolls in a synagogue or niche for Roman god statue

Know & recognize these 3 characteristic arches/niches from Islamic architecture Muqarnas are unique to Islam Often stacked and used in multiples, very intricate and dazzling to the eye Sometimes vault domes, or used as part of a mihrab SEE EXAMPLES ON NEXT PAGES

Tile Mosaic Mihrab,

from the Madrasa Imami, Isfahan
Medium: Glazed and cut tiles Size: 11'3" X 7'6" 14th century Iran The Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of finest examples of early architectural ceramic decoration

3 inscriptions: outer in cursive, Quran verses about 5 Pillars of Islam. Inner Kufic sayings of prophet

Center panel: line in Kufic says

The mosque is the house of every pious person. FLASHCARD

Prayer Hall, Great Mosque of Cordoba, Spain

Spanish Umayyad dynasty, 8th century Flashcard Emir was patron of arts Cordoba was capital Appropriated former Christian church from Visigoths Expanded by later rulers Hypostyle prayer hall marble columns

Horseshoe arches (adopted from Romans!)

Alternating red brick and white stone voussoirs in the curved arch Domes were beautiful mosaics done by master Byzantine artists; trade diplomacy and competition in the medeival Mediterranean

Dome of Great Mosque of Cordoba, in front of the mihrab

Note intricate mosaics Islamic interest in mathematics & geometry

Flashcard
Recognize Court of the Lions

Court of the Lions, Alhambra, Granada, Spain; 14th Century City of Gardens .. Islamic palace set in gardens. Complex citadel with dramatic views, miradors (lookout windows). Beautiful ceiling with clustered muqarnas 8 pointed star ceiling (next image)

Muqarnas Dome, hall of the Abencerrajes, Palace of the Lions, Alhambra

Students will discuss this with the class.

Note dome, and minarets Sultan Selim Mosque

Mosque of Sultan Selim, Edirne Ottoman Empire, 16th century Turkey

Architect Sinan (for Suleyman the Magnificent)

Flashcard Minarets almost 300 high, only 12 in diameter

Square base transitioned to central dome with corner half domes Gigantic hemispheric dome larger than Hagia Sophia Complex held mosque, madrasa, hospital, kitchens, market, baths Central plan with fountain (see plans)

Only royal mosques allowed multiple minarets

Interior of dome of

Mosque of Sultan Selim Edirne

STUDENTS PRESENT THIS

Great Mosque of Ishafan (Iran) Note iwan walls with vaulted entrances

Mosaic tile decoration

Minarets Four iwan plan

17th century, lots of additions since

Four Iwan Mosque plan

Congregational Mosque, Isfahan

Developed in Iran Iwan = huge, barrel vaulted walls with arch entrances

Cross-axial emphasis
Central courtyard Qibla is the prayer wall KNOW THIS VOCABULARY

Calligraphy
Students will present Art of fine hand lettering Quran word of god- must be written with devotion & embellishment Verbal information & aesthetics

Tugra of Sultan Suleyman

Istanbul, Turkey 16th Century, Ottoman Empire

Ink, paint, and gold on paper

Tugras combined the rulers name with the phrase Eternally Victorious

Tugras appeared on seals, coints, buildings, edicts

Body design may have been inspired by Chinese ceramics

FLASHCARDS

Ceramics & Glassware

Students will present Samarkand Fritware Figurative embellishment, especially when illuminated manuscripts & books popular

The Macy Jug

Ceramic
Painted fritware, incised 1215-1216, Iran Now at Metropolitan Museum of Art FLASHCARD IMAGE
Technique to produce lustrous metallic surface on fired ceramic Painted dense, elaborate patterns of animals, foliage, etc. Originally FRITWARE used for beads in ancient Egypt

Oriental Rugs
Students will present Worldwide popularity even through today Knotted carpets date back 4th century BCE Silk weaving exchange with China (China Silk Road) Paradise & garden associations

Oriental Rugs
Rugs used for Muslim prayer Knotted rugs technique passed down thru generations

Art of the Book

Students will present Parallels illuminated manuscripts in Europe More figurative embellishment allowed Persian miniatures Islamic emphasis on Quran

Quran Frontspiece, Cairo Egypt, 1368 CE. Nonfigural designs from Mamluk Egypt Intricate designs paralleled

What????

Another Bihzad miniature

Shirin sees Khusraus Portrait