1. West and Central Asia (Islamic influence)
Chapter 13

2. Islamic overview
Dislike of idol worship resulted in strong use of textiles and calligraphy as art forms
2 major architectural forms: mosques and palaces
Islam spread very fast throughout the east and Europe, reaching as far as Spain
Mosques influenced by central and basilica plans

4. Form Function Not a mosque Context Themes Terms Content
Stone masonry
Glazed ceramic tile
Aluminum and bronze
Gold
Content
One of the first Islamic buildings ever constructed
2 ambulatories
Where Muhammad was going to prepare a sacrifice for his son on the rock inside
No figural or animal representations
Inscription (787’ long) proclaims Islamic faith
Function Not a mosque
Location where Muhammad made sacrifice for his son,
Location where Muhammed ascended to heaven
Context
San Vitale and central plan influence present in Islamic art and architecture, influenced mosaic and design from byzantine
Themes
Religion
Power
Proclamation of Islam
Terms
Muhammad
Mosque
185. Dome of the Rock. Jerusalem, Palestine. Islamic, Umayyad ce. with multiple renovations. Stone masonry and wooden roof decorated with glazed ceramic tile, mosaics, and gilt aluminum and bronze dome.

6. Typical plan of Mosque

7. Great Mosque, Damascus, Syria, 706-715

8. Mosaic detail, Great Mosque, Damascus

9. Detail of mosaic in courtyard of Great Mosque

10. Great Mosque, Tunisia: aerial view/plan

11. Malwiya minaret of the Great Mosque, Samarra, Iraq, 848-852

12. 57. Pyxis of al-mughira, Umayyad 968 CE, Ivory
Form
Content
Function
Context
Themes
Terms
57. Pyxis of al-mughira, Umayyad 968 CE, Ivory

13. Form Content Function Context Themes Terms
56. Great Mosque. Cordoba, Spain. Umayyad Dynasty. C C.E. Stone masonry

14. Prayer Hall, Mosque, Cordoba, Spain 961-965

15. Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain Maqsura & Dome

16. Form Content Context Function Themes Terms
Ink, color, and gold on parchment
Content
Read right to left
Vowels begun to be included to help read
Brown ink
Vegetation & geometric designs (animal/figural=inappropriate
Context
Written tradition second to oral tradition, and only used after Muhammad’s death
Function
Convey text of religion
Themes
Planning/composition
Records
Terms
Sura = chapter
Kufic script
187. Folio from a Quran. ARab, North Africa, or Near East. Abbasid. 8th to 9th century ce. ink, color, and gold on parchment

17. Form Content Function Context Themes Terms
65. Alhambra. Granada, Spain. Nasrid Dynasty C.E. White washed adobe stucco, wood, tile, paint and guilding.

18. Dome from Alhambra, Granada, Spain 1354-1391

19. Alhambra, Court of Lions

20. Form Content Function Context Themes Terms
84a. Mosque of Selim II. Edirne, Turkey. Sinan (architect) Brick and stone b. Mosque of Selim II (interior view, dome) c. Mosque of Selim II plan

21. Sinan the Great, Mosque of Selim II, Erdine, Turkey 1568-1575

22. Sinan the Great and the Hagia Sophia

23. Form Content Function Terms Themes
Stone, brick, wood, plaster, glazed ceramic tile
Content
Constructed from 8th to 20th century
Situated in the middle of a city
From the sky – looks like bubble wrap!
Earth tones and colorful tiles motifs
Function
Mosque, religious building
Pedestrian hub
Terms
Hypostyle hall
Occulus
Mihrab
Qibla wall
Themes
Religion
Power
Development of art over time
186. Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh) Isfahan, Iran. Islamic, Persian: Seljuk, Il-Khanid, Timurid and Safavid Dynasties. 700 ce. additions and restorations in the 14th, 18th, and 20th centuries ce. stone, brick, wood plaster and glazed ceramic tile

24. Form Content Function Context Themes Terms
209. Taj Mahal Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Masons, marble workers, mosaicists, and decorators working under the supervision of Ustad Ahmad Lahori, architect of the emperor C.E. Stone masonry and marble with inlay of precious and semiprecious stones; gardens

25. Form Content Function Themes Context
Brass inlaid with gold and silver
Content
Mamluk artisans
Figures, animals, decorative patterning (completely covered)
Sea animals on the bottom
Continuous band of animals & men on horseback
Rulers & coats of arms
Scenes of battle
4 figures in round shapes, procession
Fleur de Lis (France & Mamluk sultan)
Function
Baptize children of royal family of France
Themes
Royalty
baptism
Context
Islamic inscriptions
Created for export
Signature!
188. Basin (Baptistere de St. Louis) Muhammad ibn al-Zain ce brass inlaid with gold and silver

26. Form Content Function Context Themes Terms
Ink and opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Content
Bahram slaying a beast
Skilled horse rider
Part of the Shahnama, Book of Kings
Function
Tell stories of ancient heroes and kings
Context
Illustrated manuscripts
Shahnama
Alexander mosaic
Themes
Political power
Intertwining of cultures
Movement and rhythm
Balance & energy
Terms
Seljuk style
189. Bahram Gur Fights the Karg, folio from the Great Il-Khanid Shahnama. Islamic: Persian, Il'Khanid ce ink and opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper

27. Form Content Function Terms Themes Context
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Content
Manuscript took 20+ years to make
258 illustrations
Surrounded by son and grandson, king addresses court below
This painting took 3 years to complete
Minute detail
Function
To show the life of kings
Terms
Shahnama
Miniature painting
Themes
Miniature paintings
Talent/detail
Royal life/daily courts
Context
Illuminated manuscript
Shahnama
190. The Court of Gayumars, folio from Shah Tahmasp's Shahnama. Sultan Muhammad ce. ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

28. 191. The Ardabil Carpet. Maqsud of Kashan. 1539-1540 ce. silk and wool
Form
Silk and wool
Content
Once had a matching pair created for a shrine
340 knots per square inch (today – knots)
Middle medallion, 4 corner pieces, rectangles for calligraphy
Lamps
Function
Religious purpose, for a shrine
Context
Woven arts
World’s oldest and largest Islamic carpets
Themes
Extreme detail
Luxury
Artisan skill
worship
Terms
Sufism = Islamic mysticism
191. The Ardabil Carpet. Maqsud of Kashan ce. silk and wool

29. Content “cube” (arabic)
Form
Granite
Masonry
Masjid
Al-Haram
Courtyard
Content “cube” (arabic)
Hajj
Circumambulate, kiss & touch the stone
Constructed by Abraham
Function
Religious
Center
Context
Hajj, face towards Mecca for prayer
Themes
Religion
Terms
Circumambulate
Hajj
Mecca
Masjid
Edited & reconstructed many times
Once covered with relief sculptures
Now has a cloth that is replaced every year
Courtyard expanded to accommodate people participating in the hajj & worship
183. The Kaaba. Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Islamic ce multiple renovations granite masonry

30. Form Content Function Context Themes Terms
208. Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh  Bichitr. c C.E. Watercolor gold, and ink on paper