Islamic Art & Architecture Faith, Pattern, Geometry

Artist: n/a Title: The Kaaba, Mecca Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: n/a 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

Kaaba & Islam Figurative art, especially religion, avoided Islamic artists use nonfigural ornament, text, arabesques (scrolling vines) & complex patterns However this varies by region/time frame.. What examples can you think of?

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

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 Qur’an 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 ha’ij.

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?

The Spread of Islam in the Middle East and Europe Artist: n/a Title: The Islamic World Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: n/a Four caliphs/followers of Mohammed succeeded --spread into India, Africa, Spain

The 4 Caliphs Arabic was used to study and teach, but also simply to delight the eye Ruled after Mohammed 3rd Caliph Uthman - completed the Qur’an… unifying force of the Arabic language Ali was the 4th caliph; power struggle - assassination in 661 DIVISIONS FROM THIS CONFLICT CONTINUE TODAY…. Shi’a = followers of Ali as the one true caliph Sunni = believe all 4 caliphs were “rightfully guided” Where are the Shia’s and Sunnis still fighting TODAY ?????

Early Dynasties of the Islamic Empire - Umayyads 661-750 The Dome of the Rock was the first great monument of Islamic Art. Following Ali’s assassination, Umayyad Dynasty founded (661-750) 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 rock was where Mohammed ascended to God, according to Islam Cutaway View of The Dome Of the Rock In Jerusalem The rock was where Mohammed ascended to God, according to Islam Artist: n/a Title: Cutaway drawing of the Dome of the Rock Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: n/a

Golden dome, marble veneers, rich mosaics & patterned carpets 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 Qur’an writings of gold mosaic on turquoise background-oldest written Qur’an verses Oldest use of Qur’an in architecture Artist: n/a Title: Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem (interior) Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: 691–2 Source/Museum: n/a 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

Frieze from façade of Palace at Mshatta (Jordan, 743 CE) Umayyid caliphs built palaces such as the one at Mshatta Frieze divided into triangular compartments, geometric shapes contrasting with organic vines, scrolls with birds and animals Near the mosque portion no animals or birds were shown (aniconism). Where did we see friezes in ancient and classical times? Artist: n/a Title: Frieze, detail of façade of the palace at Mshatta Medium: Stone Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Museum für Islamische Kunst

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

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

Muqarnas are unique to Islam 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 Artist: n/a Title: Elements of Architecture: Arches and Muqarnas Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: Arches and Muqarnas: horseshoe arch, pointed arch, muqarnas

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, Qur’an 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 Tile Mosaic Mihrab, from the Madrasa Imami, Isfahan Medium: Glazed and cut tiles Size: 11'3" X 7'6" (3.43 X 2.29 m) Date: Founded 1354 Source/Museum: Iran. The Metropolitan Museum of Art FLASHCARD Artist: n/a Title: Tile Mosaic Mihrab, from the Madrasa Imami, Isfahan Medium: Glazed and cut tiles Size: 11'3" X 7'6" (3.43 X 2.29 m) Date: Founded 1354 Source/Museum: Iran. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Harris Brisbane Dick Fund (39.20)

Minbar (pulpit) Example of beautiful wood and ivory inlaid Minbar from mosque in Cairo, Egypt (15th Century) Artist: n/a Title: Aerial view of Haram Al-Sharif, Jerusalem Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: n/a

Qibla wall from Sultan Hasan Madrasa-Mausoleum-Mosque Cairo Egypt 14th century Artist: n/a Title: Qibla wall with mihrab and minbar, Sultan Hasan Madrasa-Mausoleum-Mosque Complex Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: 1356–63 Source/Museum: Main iwan (vaulted chamber) in the mosque, Cairo, Egypt Example of elaborate Qibla (prayer wall) with minbar (pulpit), mihrab (niche)

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 Artist: n/a Title: Prayer Hall, Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: Begun 785–86 Source/Museum: n/a

Dome of Great Mosque of Cordoba, in front of the mihrab Note intricate mosaics Islamic interest in mathematics & geometry Artist: n/a Title: Dome in front of the Mihrab, Great Mosque Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: 965 Source/Museum: n/a

Student presentations on Mosque of Cordoba here Artist: n/a Title: Elements of Architecture: Mosque Plans (Hypostyle Mosque) Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: Hypostyle mosque: Great Mosque, Cordoba, after extension by al-Hakam II

Students will discuss this with the class. Note dome, and minarets Sultan Selim Mosque Artist: n/a Title: Elements of Architecture: Mosque Plans (Centrally-Planned Mosque) Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: Centrally-planned mosque: Sultan Selim Mosque, Edirne

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 Only royal mosques allowed multiple minarets Artist: n/a Title: Mosque of Sultan Selim, Edirne Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: 1568–75 Source/Museum: Turkey Square base transitioned to central dome with corner half domes Gigantic hemispheric dome larger than Hagia Sophia Complex held mosque, madrasa, hospittal, kitchens, market, baths Central plan with fountain (see plans)

Mosque of Sultan Selim Edirne Interior of dome of Mosque of Sultan Selim Edirne STUDENTS PRESENT THIS Artist: n/a Title: Interior, Mosque of Sultan Selim Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: Turkey

Congregational Mosque, Isfahan Developed in Iran 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 Artist: n/a Title: Elements of Architecture: Mosque Plans (Four-Iwan Mosque) Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: Four-iwan mosque: Congresgrational Mosque, Isfahan

Great Mosque of Ishafan (Iran) Note iwan walls with vaulted entrances Mosaic tile decoration Minarets Four iwan plan 17th century, lots of additions since Artist: n/a Title: Courtyard, Masjid-I Jami, Isfahan Iran Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: 11th–18th century 14th-century iwan vault, 17th-century minarets Source/Museum: Iran

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

Arabic manuscript page Kufic headings Naskhi (Iran) scripts Calligraphers enjoyed very high status, included women and princes 20 cursive scripts in use by the 10th century Qur’an usually wrote on parchment or vellum Artist: Attributed to Galinus Title: Arabic manuscript page Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: 1199 Source/Museum: Iraq. / Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris

Artist: n/a Title: Page from the Qur'an (Surah II: 286 and Title Surah III) in kufic script Medium: Black ink pigments, and gold on vellum Size: 8⅜ X 11⅛" (21.8 X 29.2 cm) Date: 9th century Source/Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rogers Fund, 1937 (37.99.2)

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

Border is Kufic script; Samarkand ceramics had a beautiful white ground like Chinese porcelain. Border is Kufic script; Calligraphy often used for decoration as well as text. Artist: n/a Title: Bowl with kufic border Medium: Earthenware with slip, pigment, and lead glaze Size: diameter 14½" (37 cm) Date: 9th–10th century Source/Museum: Samarkand, Uzbekistan. / Musée du Louvre, Paris.

Mamluk Glass Oil Lamp, Syria or Egypt, 14th century Glass, polychrome enamel, gold Egyptians produced 1st glass in 2nd millenium BCE 13th century CE artistic exchanges in Italy, Syria, Egypt developed new molding and blowing techniques Used for mosques Kuranic inscription: God is the light of the heavens. European heraldry symbols FLASHCARD - DISCUSS INFLUENCES, FIGURATIVE IMAGERY, ETC. Artist: n/a Title: Mamluk glass oil lamp Medium: Glass, polychrome enamel, and gold Size: height 12" (30.5 cm) Date: c. 1355 Source/Museum: Syria or Egypt. Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York. (52.1.86)

Painted fritware, incised 1215-1216, Iran 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 Artist: n/a Title: The Macy Jug Medium: Composite body glazed, painted fritware and incised (glaze partially stained with cobalt), with pierced outer shell Size: 6 ⅝ X 7 ¾" (16.8 X 19.7 cm) Date: 1215–16 Source/Museum: Iran. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Fletcher Fund, 1932 (32.52.1)

“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

Banner of Las Navas de Tolosa Silk tapestry weave with gilt parchment Trophy taken by Christian King Ferdinand III.. Detail of center section Calligraphic panels Artist: n/a Title: Banner of Las Navas de Tolosa Medium: Silk tapestry-weave with gilt parchment Size: 10'9 ⅞" X 7'2 ⅝" (3.3 X 2.2 m) Date: 1212–50 Source/Museum: Detail of center panel, from southern Spain. / Museo de Telas Medievales, Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas, Burgos, Spain

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

Note patterns which reverse symmetry Medallion Rug Star Ushak Style Note patterns which reverse symmetry Infinite arabesque that repeats in all directions Artist: n/a Title: Medallion Rug, variant Star Ushak style Medium: Wool Size: 10'3" X 7'6 ¼" (313.7 X 229.2 cm) Date: 16th century Source/Museum: Anatolia (present-day Turkey). / The St. Louis Art Museum. Gift of James F. Ballard

Artist: n/a Title: A woman weaving Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: n/a

Artist: n/a Title: Technique: carpet making Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: n/a Source/Museum: a. Kilim weaving pattern used in flat-weaving, b. Symmetrical knot, used extensively in Iran, c. Asymmetrical knot, used extensively in Turkey

Art of the Book Students will present Parallels illuminated manuscripts in Europe More figurative embellishment allowed Persian miniatures Islamic emphasis on Qur’an

Qur’an Frontspiece, Cairo Egypt, 1368 CE. Nonfigural designs from Mamluk Egypt Intricate designs paralleled What???? Artist: n/a Title: Qur’an frontispiece (right half of two-page spread) Medium: Ink, pigments, and gold on paper Size: 24 X 18" (61 X 45.7 cm) Date: c. 1368 Source/Museum: Cairo, Egypt. / National Library, Cairo. Ms. 7.

Caliph Harun Al Rashid Visits Turkish Bath Kamal al Din-Bihzad From Herart School of Miniature painting in western Afghanistan Bihzad paintings illustrated Khamsa Five Poems. Bathhouse accepted from Roman society in Islamic world in Turkey, Jordan. Artist: Kamal al-Din Bihzad Title: The Caliph Harun Al-Rashid Visits the Turkish Bath Medium: Ink and pigments on paper Size: approx. 7 X 6" (17.8 X 15.3 cm) Date: c. 1494 Source/Museum: From a copy of the 12th-century Khamsa (Five Poems) of Nizami. Herat, Afghanistan. / The British Library, London. Oriental and India office Collections (Ms. Or. 6810, fol. 27v)

Another Bihzad miniature Shirin sees Khusraus Portrait Artist: n/a Title: The Portrait of Khusrau Shown to Shirin Medium: Ink, pigments, and gold on paper Size: 9⅞ X 6¾" (25 X 17 cm) Date: c. 1494 Source/Museum: From a copy of the 12th-century Khamsa (Five Poems) of Nizami.Herat, Afghanistan. / The British Library, London

Tugra of Sultan Suleyman Istanbul, Turkey 16th Century, Ottoman Empire Ink, paint, and gold on paper Tugras combined the ruler’s name with the phrase Eternally Victorious Tugras appeared on seals, coints, buildings, edicts Body design may have been inspired by Chinese ceramics FLASHCARDS Artist: n/a Title: Illuminated Tugra of Sultan Suleyman Medium: Ink, paint, and gold on paper Size: removed from a firman and trimmed to 20½ X 25⅜" (52 X 64.5 cm) Date: c. 1555–60 Source/Museum: Istanbul, Turkey. / The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rogers Fund, 1938 (38.149.1)

Recognize Court of the Lions Flashcard Recognize Court of the Lions Artist: n/a Title: Court of the Lions, Palace of the Lions, Alhambra, Granada Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: 1354–91 Source/Museum: Spain 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 Artist: n/a Title: Muqarnas Dome, Hall of the Abencerrajes, Palace of the Lions, Alhambra Medium: n/a Size: n/a Date: Built between 1354–91 Source/Museum: n/a