Islamic Art 1000-1400Islamic Art 1000-1400

Historical Context-Islam 1000-1100Historical Context-Islam 1000-1100 Arab lands were North and North-east Africa with Arab lands were North and North-east Africa with

Arab trading stations along the African East coastArab trading stations along the African East coast– Islam expansion had slowed and was divided between Islam expansion had slowed and was divided between

Samanid rulers of Persia, the Fatimids of Egypt, and Samanid rulers of Persia, the Fatimids of Egypt, and the Umayyad caliphs of Spainthe Umayyad caliphs of Spain

– Islam was revitalized with the Seljik conquers (Central Islam was revitalized with the Seljik conquers (Central Asia Nomad conquers recently converted to Islam)Asia Nomad conquers recently converted to Islam)

– Loss of some Christian Byzantine land ( Armenia) and Loss of some Christian Byzantine land ( Armenia) and Jerusalem captured from the more tolerant Fatimid Jerusalem captured from the more tolerant Fatimid caliphs of Egypt (they allowed Christian pilgrimages to caliphs of Egypt (they allowed Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem)Jerusalem)

– The regeneration of Islam posed an immediate threat The regeneration of Islam posed an immediate threat ot the Christian people of the western world- the start ot the Christian people of the western world- the start of the Holy Wars- of the Holy Wars- The First Crusade-The First Crusade- 1095- 1095-

– Jerusalem was taken in by the crusaders in 1099Jerusalem was taken in by the crusaders in 1099

Contributions to Architecture and Art Contributions to Architecture and Art and Scienceand Science

Cult of the Garden-cool, well watered and Cult of the Garden-cool, well watered and essentially formalessentially formal

Rigid orthodoxy- exiled figurative painting from Rigid orthodoxy- exiled figurative painting from mosque and home alikemosque and home alike

Repeated vegetal and geometric patterns, Repeated vegetal and geometric patterns, patterned brickworkpatterned brickwork

Medical encyclopaedias, pioneering work on Medical encyclopaedias, pioneering work on optics, furthered understanding of Hindu algebra optics, furthered understanding of Hindu algebra and arithmetic, astrological and navigational tablesand arithmetic, astrological and navigational tables

Islam- Muslim SpainIslam- Muslim Spain

11981198 Isolated from the other Isolated from the other

areas of Islamic ruleareas of Islamic rule Giralda tower in Giralda tower in

Seville- a minaret of Seville- a minaret of the Almohad mosque the Almohad mosque (since made into a (since made into a bellfry)bellfry)

Earlier Byzantine StudiesEarlier Byzantine Studies

Remember -Dome of the RockRemember -Dome of the Rock Haigis Sophia was a Byzantine church- now Haigis Sophia was a Byzantine church- now

it is a Mosqueit is a Mosque

First state, left.  First state, left.  "Minaret and "Minaret and observatory of the Great Mosque, observatory of the Great Mosque, completed by the Almohades in completed by the Almohades in 1198, also commemorating the 1198, also commemorating the battle of Alarcos, happened three battle of Alarcos, happened three years before."years before."

    Second state, right. Second state, right. "Bell Tower "Bell Tower of the main Church of the of the main Church of the Christian reconquerors, after the Christian reconquerors, after the fall of the balls due to the fall of the balls due to the earthquake on august 24, 1356.."earthquake on august 24, 1356.."

    Third state, center, present day. Third state, center, present day. "Bell tower of the Cathedral "Bell tower of the Cathedral completed in 1568 the Christian completed in 1568 the Christian part by the Cordoba architect part by the Cordoba architect Fernando Ruiz and other Fernando Ruiz and other masters, including the 1890 masters, including the 1890 restorationrestoration

Muslim Spain was intellectual centre in the Muslim Spain was intellectual centre in the 1212thth century-study of science and philosophy century-study of science and philosophy in the Muslim world (Almohad dynasty)in the Muslim world (Almohad dynasty)

Averroes commentator of Aristotle; Ibn al-Averroes commentator of Aristotle; Ibn al-Arabi mystical scholar; Ibn al-Baytar famous Arabi mystical scholar; Ibn al-Baytar famous botanist, Abu Marwan ibn Zuhr physician botanist, Abu Marwan ibn Zuhr physician and co-author with Averroes of a medical and co-author with Averroes of a medical encyclopediaencyclopedia

Mosque of Al-AqmarMosque of Al-Aqmar

Al-Aqmar

INDIA AND ISLAMINDIA AND ISLAM

Arab interest in trading Western Africa- gold Arab interest in trading Western Africa- gold ivory and slavesivory and slaves

India’s warring rulers left the door open for India’s warring rulers left the door open for Muhammad Guri’s invasion of Northern IndiaMuhammad Guri’s invasion of Northern India

Taking of Dehli on 1192- Muslim domination Taking of Dehli on 1192- Muslim domination in Northern India would remain for centuriesin Northern India would remain for centuries

It took a century and a half to take over India It took a century and a half to take over India as it retreated southward.as it retreated southward.

The exotic art of Hindu and The exotic art of Hindu and Buddhist India was Buddhist India was considered Icons by the considered Icons by the Muslim conquerorsMuslim conquerors

The Mosque of Islam at Delhi The Mosque of Islam at Delhi was supplied by stones taken was supplied by stones taken from Hindu shrinesfrom Hindu shrines

Dominant feature is the Qutb Dominant feature is the Qutb Minar a great minaret begun Minar a great minaret begun in 1199 and conceived as a in 1199 and conceived as a tower of victorytower of victory

Inscriptions from the Koran, Inscriptions from the Koran, decoration traditional Indian decoration traditional Indian inspirationinspiration

Islamic ArtIslamic Art Mongol invasion effected Mongol invasion effected

the Islamic culture- causing the Islamic culture- causing early internal divisions yet early internal divisions yet began to recover at the began to recover at the end of the 1200’send of the 1200’s

Some of the brilliance was Some of the brilliance was preserved at Seljuk, preserved at Seljuk, Anatolia –early 13Anatolia –early 13thth century century Sultans. Among these Sultans. Among these were the Medreses were the Medreses (schools of theology)(schools of theology)

Ince Medrese Turkey 1267

Though built (1267) as a Though built (1267) as a Muslim theological seminary, Muslim theological seminary, it has been restored and is it has been restored and is now Konya's now Konya's Museum of Museum of Wooden Artifacts and Wooden Artifacts and Stone Carving.Stone Carving.

GrandGrand portal, portal, heavily and heavily and completely carved with completely carved with Seljuk decoration and Seljuk decoration and Kur'anic inscriptions, is Kur'anic inscriptions, is among the finest of all Seljuk among the finest of all Seljuk grand portals.grand portals.

The The minaretminaret, partially , partially destroyed by a destroyed by a lightning lightning strikestrike in 1901, was in 1901, was exceptionally tall (see the old exceptionally tall (see the old photo below) and finely photo below) and finely decorated with typically decorated with typically Seljuk Seljuk sky-blue tilessky-blue tiles

ExhibitsExhibits include elaborately include elaborately carved wooden mosque carved wooden mosque doors and decorative panels, doors and decorative panels, marble panels carved with marble panels carved with typical typical SeljukSeljuk designs of designs of birds, lions, angels and birds, lions, angels and double-headed eagles and double-headed eagles and even a few even a few elephantselephants..Kubab-abad Palace

wall tiles

Sultan Han-1232- fortified, built a stops for refreshment between major Anatolian cities- great lodging-hospital- mosque.The han faces south. It is the second largest han in Turkey, and is one of the most spectacular and striking hans of the entire Middle East. It was undoubtedly one of the most luxurious inns known, the five-star "Hilton" of its day.

Ribbon of dragonshttp://www.turkishhan.org/sultankayseri.htm

detail of dragon heads at summit of mosque arches

Into this culture the Mongols brokeInto this culture the Mongols broke Lost some of its artisans that fled especially Lost some of its artisans that fled especially

skilled metal workersskilled metal workers Gained some knowledge of Chinese Gained some knowledge of Chinese

painting and potterypainting and pottery Loss of territory in Spain (but not Granada)Loss of territory in Spain (but not Granada) Religious refugees from Spain great exodus Religious refugees from Spain great exodus

of scholars and mysticsof scholars and mystics

Islamic Decorative ArtIslamic Decorative Art Emphasis on abstract decoration due to Emphasis on abstract decoration due to

religiously inspiredreligiously inspired Frequently accompanied by CalligraphyFrequently accompanied by Calligraphy Men and animals occasionally shown, but rareMen and animals occasionally shown, but rare shape and patternshape and pattern Though they resulted in a loss of dramatic Though they resulted in a loss of dramatic

power (due to no figurative art) they made up power (due to no figurative art) they made up for the loss was in the intricate ingenuity of its for the loss was in the intricate ingenuity of its flowering designs.flowering designs.

Detail from the Seljuk Friday mosque at Isfahan. The architectural complexity of the muqarnas is highlighted by the geometric pattern of the decoration.

Mina'i BowlLate 12th-early 13th century; Persian, Seljuk Dynasty; Ceramic; The Seljuks were responsible for the most important innovation in early medieval Islamic pottery. They rediscovered a frit body of clay, quartz, and potash, an ancient Egyptian invention which permitted a variety of color and decoration.

Mina'i (enameled) was the most elaborate Seljuk pottery style, requiring several firings for pigments and gold leaf. Its figural style, derived from wall and miniature painting, The mina'i bowl depicts a scene from the Shahnama (The Book of Kings), the 11th-century Persian poet Firdausi's epic poem. The subject, the victorious Iranian King Faridun leading his vanquished Arab foe Zahhak, was chosen for narrative and symbolic reasons.

http://www.dia.org/collections/ancient/islamicart/30.421.html

Metropolitan museum of Art

Tile assemblage, first half of 13th century; Seljuq-Anatolia

Metropolitan of ArtFrieze tile with phoenix, ca. 1270sIran (probably Takht-i Sulayman)Fritware, overglaze luster-painted

MiniaturesMiniatures

http://www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~history/early.html

I- Early Islamic Illustrations II- Secular illustrations and Persian Painting http://www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~history/pers-II.html

There are very few secular illustrated texts which survive from late Antiquity or Byzantium. The rise of illustrated secular works under Islam occur in the late 12th and 13th centuries. Kalila wa Dimna were the examples of these works that illustrate the appearance of an immensely rich merchant class in the Near East with means and pretensions to ape the rulers. Meanwhile, the Persian paintings were mostly about the pride of the kings and rulers. There were also religious Persian paintings which represent the Persian interpretations of Islam.

A. Miniature Paintings "Miniatures" or small paintings were often used to illustrate books. They were more common in Turkey and Persia (now Iran and parts of Iraq), and later in Muslim India (the Mughal Empire). The art of these places was also influenced by the Mongol conquests of the 1200's. After that time, Persian and Turkish paintings were influenced by Chinese art styles.

King Khusraw Parviz Listening to Barbad the Concealed MusicianIllustration from a manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of kings)Iraq, Baghdad(?), c. 1300Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper6 x 5 1/8 in. (15.3 x 13 cm) The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, gift of Joan PalevskyM.73.5.406

Gallery underneath the dome, tomb of the Ilkhanid ruler, Uljaitu, in Sultaniya in Iran1307-131

The star was chosen as the most The star was chosen as the most popular motif for Islamic decorations popular motif for Islamic decorations because its regular geometric shape because its regular geometric shape symbolized equal radiation in all symbolized equal radiation in all directions from A central point. directions from A central point.

All regular stars are created with A All regular stars are created with A division of A circle into equal parts. The division of A circle into equal parts. The center of the star is the center of the center of the star is the center of the circle which represents one god and the circle which represents one god and the center of islam which is mecca; toward center of islam which is mecca; toward which all moslems face in prayer. which all moslems face in prayer.

The rays of the star reach out in all The rays of the star reach out in all directions which represent the spread of directions which represent the spread of islam throughout all the world. islam throughout all the world.

Geometry and Islam

http://everyschool.org/u/logan/culturalmath/geoisl.htm

BowlEgypt, twelfth centuryEarthenware, overglaze luster paintedHeight: 2 9/16 in. (6.51 cm)Diameter: 6 13/16 in. (17.3 cm)

The Madina Collection of Islamic Art, gift of Camilla Chandler FrostM.2002.1.35

Folding Loran stand Seljuk, 13th c crafted from a single piece of wood- geometrical and plant motifs, peacocks and Solomon's seal and cypress trees were commonly used in their carvinghttp://

www.islamicarchitecture.org/art/islamic-woodwork.html

Manuscript of Sughrat (Socrates) belongs to a 13th century Seljuk illustrator. It is currently kept at Topkapi Palace Library, Istanbul, Turkey.

Islam 1300-1400Islam 1300-1400 Islamic society future lay with the Ottman vigor which took Islamic society future lay with the Ottman vigor which took

over Constantinople in 1391, having absorbed most of its over Constantinople in 1391, having absorbed most of its territory (the high point of Ottman architecture is in the mid territory (the high point of Ottman architecture is in the mid 1616thth century, they had little time at this date) century, they had little time at this date)

Granada Spain was still Islamic- the most remarkable Granada Spain was still Islamic- the most remarkable building- the Alhambrabuilding- the Alhambra

An Islamic citadel – a large, fortified, enclosure- palace of An Islamic citadel – a large, fortified, enclosure- palace of the rulerthe ruler

It included within its walls- mosques,, schools, It included within its walls- mosques,, schools, administration buildings with gardens and apartments for administration buildings with gardens and apartments for the courtthe court

During a time when Muslim, Jews and Christian people During a time when Muslim, Jews and Christian people lived side by side (at times uneasily)lived side by side (at times uneasily)

Time of artistic brillianceTime of artistic brilliance

AlhambraAlhambra The Alhambra sits on a The Alhambra sits on a

plateau in the Sierra Nevada plateau in the Sierra Nevada Mountains just ouside Mountains just ouside Granada, Spain. Granada, Spain.

MuhammadV (1361-91) was MuhammadV (1361-91) was the principal patron of the the principal patron of the complex as we know it today. complex as we know it today. Although Yusuf 1 (1333-54) Although Yusuf 1 (1333-54) established the current layout established the current layout and decorative tone.and decorative tone.

Elaborate use of light, water Elaborate use of light, water and garden spacesand garden spaces

Expresses Arabic poetic Expresses Arabic poetic tradition and Qur’anic tradition and Qur’anic imagery of paradiseimagery of paradise

Numerous inscriptions, Numerous inscriptions, mostly verses of Ibn Zamrak-mostly verses of Ibn Zamrak-Muhammad’s V’s court poet.Muhammad’s V’s court poet.

Court of the Lions

http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/alhambra/http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/alhambra/flash/palace_qtvr3.htmlflash/palace_qtvr3.html

http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/ha/html/http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/ha/html/islamic_granada_lion1_high.htmislamic_granada_lion1_high.htm

http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/ha/html/http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/ha/html/islamic.htmlislamic.html