Islamic Art and Architecture

Emesik © 2007. Taken fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kharanagh-minaret.jpg

Architecture

A main characteristic of Islamic art is the minaret.

A minaret is the tower of a mosque from which the muezzin, or crier, calls the faithful to prayer 5 times a day.

Hajor (c) 2002. El-Tabia Mosque, Aswan, Egypt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Egypt.Aswan.Mosque.02.jpg

Architecture (cont...) Islam unites spiritual and political power; therefore, great palaces were built by Muslim leaders to reflect the glory of Islam.

In the 8th century, Syrian desert palaces (or castles) were built of brick.

Palaces had protective walls, gates, and baths.

They were designed around a central courtyard surrounded by two story arcades and massive gate-towers.

Qasr Alheer Alsharqi, Jim Gordon (c) 2007. Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Qasr_Alheer_Alsharqi,_Syria.jpg

Islamic Art

Islamic art is a blend of Arab, Turkish, and Persian traditions.

Islamic decorations consisted of Arabic letters, natural plants, and abstract figures.

These decorations were repeated over and over in geometric patterns called arabesques that completely covered the surface of objects.

Musamman Burj in the Red Fort Agra. Hans A. Rosbach (c) 2008. Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RedFortAgra-Musamman-Burj-20080211-2.jpg

Musamman Burj in the Red Fort Agra.

The Hadith

In addition to the Qur'an, the Hadith, an early collection of Muhammad's sayings, warns against any attempt to imitate God

by creating pictures of living beings.

Therefore, images of Muhammad do not appear in religious art.

Pierced Screens

Taken from:http://djcadteam6.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/islamic-art-pattern-light-and-structure/

Closing Question

How do pierced screens support the Muslim teaching on the modesty of

women?