Islamic Art

Basic Principles
Note: PPTs are only for Reference
 What
is
Islamic
Art?
 Art that is influenced by Islam is
found in many places in the world.

• The influence may be cultural, or

• The influence may be religious
4 MAIN STYLES:
Geometric
Calligraphic
Organic/figural
Medallions
Geometric
designs are
based on
mathematical
shapes.
Can you tell what shapes
these tiles are based on?
 The
Calligraphic style
uses Arabic script as
the focal point of a
design.
This marble foundation stone from
Egypt is decorated in the
Calligraphic style.
Organic and figural
works are easily
identified by their
curving lines.
 You will also see
human and animal
figures, as well as
flowers and vines.
The swirling leaves and flowers on
this peacock plate from Turkey
almost hide the dainty blue bird in
the center of the plate.

Here
I
Am!
 The
Medallion style
usually has a central image
that is more important than
other elements of the design.
 It is easy to see the medallion in
the center of this carpet from Iran.
 This is the
GEOMETRIC STYLE!
Can you see the bird?
This is an example of
the organic/figural
style. Look at the
graceful curves!
This is a box in
the medallion
style. It was
carved from
ivory.
This science
dish was
designed in the
calligraphic
style. It says,
“Science, its
taste is bitter at
the beginning
but, at the end,
sweeter than
honey.
Blessing.”
Islamic Art
The Islamic Faith is based on the ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam:
Shahādah - Profession of faith
Salah – Prayer 5 times a day
Zakâh - Giving to the poor
Sawm - Fasting during Ramadan
Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca
Although Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, they
reject the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, comparing it to
polytheism. In Islamic theology, Jesus was just a man and
not the son of God; God is described in a chapter of the
Quar'an as "…God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal,
Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is

?
none like unto Him."
The Dome of the Rock
The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic
shrine (or reliquary) and a major
landmark located on the Temple Mount in
Jerusalem. It was completed in 691 BCE,
making it the oldest extant Islamic
building in the world.
Muslims believe that Mohammed
ascended to Heaven from the rock inside
of this Dome. The building is only open to
Muslims.
Jews believe that it was on this rock that
Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, and
this stone may have once stood in
Solomon's Temple. Muslim tradition also
has it that it an angel will appear here
with a trumpet call to announce the Last
Judgment at end of the world.
• This close-up photo of
the lower exterior of the
Dome of the Rock shows
the magnificent tile work
done by Suleiman the
Magnificent in 1545.
• The arched niches used
to contain mosaics, but
they turned out to be too
delicate for the harsh
winters and Suleiman
finally resolved the
problem by replacing
them all with tile.
• The Arabic inscription is
of verses from the
Qur'an.
Columns, arches and ambulatory inside the Dome.
Mihrab
•A mihrab is a niche in the wall of a
mosque that indicates the qibla, that is,
the direction of Mecca and hence the
direction that Muslims should face when
praying.
• The wall in which a mihrab appears is
thus the "qibla wall."
•Today, Mihrabs vary in size, are usually
ornately decorated and often designed to
give the impression of an arched doorway
or a passage to Mecca.
•Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad are
written in kufic script on the borders of
the pointed arch of the niche.
Mihrab in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.

ISLAMIC ART
Mihrab (prayer niche)
Glazed ceramic tile
15th-16th Century
ISLAMIC ART

Cincinnati Art Museum

Arabesques
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.
The Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1653. ISLAMIC ART
Writings from the Qur’an in Thuluth Script

Burial tombs for Shah Jahan &

Mumtaz Mahal
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
Once one of the biggest
mosques in the World, it’s
now a Catholic Cathedral
since the Spanish
Inquisition.
Thank You