ISLAMIC ART: Intoduction

What is ‘Islamic Art’? What are the most common elements of this category of design?

 It’s a very broad genre of art. No, you don’t have to be a Muslim to make it. It’s just a style and theme dubbed so because it spread initially by Muslim Dynasties and in their regions.

Examples of Islamic Art

The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), the Taj Mahal, zelliege mosaic, mina’I (enamel) ware bowls, Persian carpets, the cover of Quran as well as other books; all the cited are specimens of Islamic Art, but what exactly does this art form entail? Art historians in the 19th century came up with this term to catalog and study the patterns and designs that were mainly popularized under Muslims that emerged from Arabian Peninsula in the 7th Century AD.

The basic Islamic faith discourages its followers from portrayal of images of animals and human forms; mainly to shun idol-worship and enforcement of the belief that there is no creator but God. So a few notable forms of art mainly emerged and prevailed in the Muslim culture;

• Calligraphy: the art of writing. Attractively written verses from the holy scripture, Quran, were (and still are to this date) used to adorn mosques and houses.
• Geometric patterns and Arabesque (floral/vegetal) shapes: Abstract art form that involves simple as well as advanced geometric and scroll shapes that are often interwoven. One of the most notable medium of choice for this has been brilliant colored mosaic tiles.

Forms of Islamic Art: Calligraphy, Geometric & Arabesque Vegetal

Islamic Art is not the name of a strictly consistent homogenous style. It is not the art of particular country or specific people. On the contrary, this movement spans to over a dozen centuries, several dynasties and a vast geographic expanse. Muslim Dynasties have ruled over areas from Spain to Far East across different periods. The art style developed and evolved over years as a result of amalgamation of Pre-Islamic civilizations of the conquered lands with Arab, Persian and Turkish traditions. Moreover, the Islamic art style was influenced by the design themes of a number of ancient civilizations, like the inclusion of columns and

Like this piece? Stay tuned, we have a few more fascinating articles planned for the "Islamic Art" series.