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Islamic Objects and Manuscripts - IAA 631

Instructor: M. Tarek Swelim, Ph.D.
Student: Aymen Aiblu

What is Islamic Art?

Islamic art encompasses the visual arts produced from the seventh century onward by both
Muslims and non-Muslims who lived within the territory that was inhabited by, or ruled by, culturally
Islamic populations. It is thus a very difficult art to define because it spans some 1400 years, covering
many lands and populations. This art is also not of a specific religion, time, place, or single medium.
Instead Islamic art covers a range of artistic fields including architecture, calligraphy, painting, glass,
ceramics, and textiles, among others.
Islamic art is not restricted to religious art, but instead includes all of the art of the rich and
varied cultures of Islamic societies. It frequently includes secular elements and elements that are
forbidden by some Islamic theologians. Islamic religious art differs greatly from Christian religious art
traditions.
Because figural representations are generally considered to be forbidden in Islam, the word takes
on religious meaning in art as seen in the tradition of calligraphic inscriptions. Calligraphy and the
decoration of manuscript Qu’rans is an important aspect of Islamic art as the word takes on religious
and artistic significance.
Islamic architecture, such as mosques and palatial gardens of paradise, are also embedded with
religious significance. While examples of Islamic figurative painting do exist, and may cover religious
scenes, these examples are typically from secular contexts, such as the walls of palaces or illuminated
books of poetry.
Islamic art is a 19th-century category given by art historians to art created by Islamic peoples
living mainly in the Arabian Peninsula, but in other countries that were ruled for a period by Islamic
rulers. This is not to be confused with art that was created under the religion of Islam; it refers to the
art by and for any religion that was created in lands whose dominant religion happened to Islam.
Islamic art was comprised of great architecture, calligraphy, glass, ceramics, painting, and
textiles developed and influenced through a variety of sources. Islamic countries were major sources of
trade and were on major trade routes. Persian, Chinese, and Central Asian cultures added to the styles
and techniques of Islamic art.
Islamic art was influenced by Greek, Roman, early Christian, and Byzantine art styles, as well
as the Sassanian art of pre-Islamic Persia. Central Asian styles were brought in with various nomadic
incursions; and Chinese influences had a formative effect on Islamic painting, pottery, and textiles.
The history of Islamic expansion is quite detailed and extensive and is a lengthy subject on its own.
The beginnings of Islamic art are hard to distinguish from those of existing cultures at the time of the
birth of Islam, but it is known that plant motif were popular.
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- Textiles: Oriental carpets are known the world over as one of the greatest achievements of Islamic
art and they are as popular today as they were in their inception. They are used in the religious
practices of Muslims, and in the homes of people of other religions or no religion. The same patterns
and techniques are not confined to rugs, but too many forms of textile from cushions to wall
coverings and even as table cloths. While many representational copies are machine-made now, true
Oriental carpets are hand-woven or hand-loomed in intricate designs in an array of bright colors.
- Tiles and Mosaics: Islamic artistry in architecture is not known only for domed ceilings and great
works like the Dome of the Rock or the Taj Mahal, but for the rich mosaics and tile work within
them. Mosaic and tile art were influenced by the mosaics of the Byzantine period and led to a
centuries-long practice of crafting glazed tiles in bright and vivid colors, and a later technique of
painting tiles before firing. Some tiles are molded in relief to depict lettering, animals, or human
figures and are part of a cohesive design that included other tiles shaped as stars that appeared
intermittently amongst the reliefs. Another form of tiling, so to speak, was the preference of the
Mughals to use parchin kari. This technique used semi-precious stones and jewels on inlaid panels
and often depicted naturalistic elements such as florals. Examples can be seen at the Taj Mahal.
- Calligraphy: Calligraphic trends in Islamic art include Quranic Art (calligraphy in painting or
sculpture), Epigraphic Ware (inscriptions on pottery), Kufic and Naskh scripts (written on ceilings
and domes), religious sayings on smaller secular objects (coins, small paintings, metalwork, and
buildings), and the tughra of Ottomon Sultans (monograms).
Calligraphy was also used in texts, such as short poems or books of poetry, or on single sheets
containing Qu’ranic verses.
The language of the calligraphy depended upon location and would be one of four: Arabic, Persian,
Turkish, or Urdu.
- Painting and Illumination: Miniature paintings and illuminated manuscripts were amongst the
highest achievements in visual art within Islamic nations.
Persian miniatures were a courtly art and they had a great influence on the art of miniatures in other
nations. Compositions held more figures than previously seen, or seen outside the court, and subjects
were free to be more secular in nature and more relaxed.
Illuminated manuscripts were not confined to religious texts and, in fact, the most prolific is
dedicated to Persian poetry. Other subjects included autobiographies of rulers and military
engagements. Later Chinese influence led to a different viewing perspective so that background
scenes in illuminated illustrations show distance, scale, and height.
- Glass Work: Islamic glass was the most prized glass of its day and was an object of desire for both
the Chinese and the Europeans. This highly prized glass was decorated in relief and etching or was
created from carved quartz crystal. Some glassmakers used color on smooth pieces.

Resources:
- Lumen, Boundless Art History, Introduction to Islamic Art
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/introduction-to-islamic-art/
- The artist, Islamic art https://www.theartist.me/art-movement/islamic-art/
Lumin