Islamic Art:

Islamic art is often defined in art books as being an art whose boundaries are not geographical but theological. That is, this style of art called Islamic, was produced in many different geographic regions whose diverse cultures were unified through the religion of Islam. This is correct.

Then these same books typically cite the Islamic ban on figural representation as a defining characteristic of the style. Next, they give some explanation as to why they believe that figural art was created in these areas, anyway. Finally, they go on to discuss the figural pieces right alongside the non-figural pieces as examples of Islamic Art. This is incorrect.

The Islamic religion still forbids the representation of figures and so, naturally, to call any art which contains figural representation "Islamic", is erroneous and offensive to Moslems (believers). For this reason, on this site at least, we will make a distinction between the figural representations (see miniature painting) and the non-figural pieces, which may be properly termed and discussed as Islamic art.

A New Culture

Islam began as a religious movement in early 7th century Arabia and quickly spread throughout the Middle East. Before the next century Muslems had conquered and converted Byzantium and Persia, as well as parts of Asia, Africa and Europe. For the next six centuries, until the Mongol nomads sacked the Muslem capital of Baghdad in 1258, the nation of Islam was the world's largest empire and the site of a great cultural flowering.

Synthesis of many cultures

This Islamic culture linked for the first time in history, such varied and distant peoples as Spaniards, Africans, Persians, Turks, Egyptians and Indians. The uniting of so many diverse cultures under one flag and one religion had the advantage of quickly disseminating the latest and best discoveries to all parts of the realm. Paper making from China, "Arabic" numerals from India, classical Greek science and philosophy translations, were all shared. In medicine the Muslims enhanced Greek theory by practical observation and clinical experience. Significant contributions were also made in chemistry, physics and mathematics. These diverse influences also encouraged new developments in the various fields of art.


Glass mosque lamp with enameled decoration inscribed with three quotations from the Quar'n and a dedication to Beybars II. Syrian, early 14th century. The Syrians were masters of all of the various glass making techniques from early times. Much of the best Roman glass was made there.

Islamic contributions to different artistic fields:

Architecture

To the early architects of the mosque we may attribute the development of the pointed arch, the brick dome, and brick vaulted arcades. Unique to Islamic architecture are the minaret , a tower from which the faithful are called to worship, and the gumbat, turbe or tomb tower .

Courtyard of the mosque of Ubn Tulun, Cairo showing pointed arches, brick dome and a minaret. 876-9

Tiled exterior of the mausoleum of Tamerlane, the Gur Emir, at Samarkand. 1434.
    Interiors and sometimes exteriors of the buildings were extensively decorated with off-set brick, stucco, ablaq (striping) or tile.
Interior of the mausoleum of Sultan Suleyman, Istanbul, showing ablaq and tile work.1566. The form is derived from that of the gumbat.
Use of script in designs
Just as the universal adoption of Arabic script aided considerably in the melding of these various cultures into one, the use of script as an artistic motif melded the art of these diverse peoples into a distinctive style. Muslims view Arabic as the sacred language and the writing of the Word as the highest form of art. Calligraphers hold a place of honor among Islamic artists. Two basic types of script are utilized in decoration: kufic, a very stylized, rather angular type of lettering and naskhi , a rounded cursive, flowing and easier to read.



Silks

Also famous throughout the world were Islamic textiles, especially silks; these rich fabrics were celebrated for their texture, colors and woven patterns, which included calligraphy, abstracted plants and vine scrolls. Gold and silver threads often played a significant role amongst a riot of rich colors.

Ban on figural representation

The Islamic Hadith or Traditions forbade the use of animal or human figures from religious art. Instead, Islamic artists created rhythmic patterns of script, geometric designs, or abstracted plant and floral forms.


Silk court costume.

Turkish, early 16th century.


Brass inkpot


Metalwork

In metalwork, Muslim artisans crafted elaborate boxes, basins, bowls, jugs and incense burners decorated with arabesques, inscriptions, and other highly stylized plant forms. These artisans specialized in brass and bronze, luxuriously inlaid with gold, silver and copper.

2. abstraction or stylization

    The most famous Islamic motif, the arabesque, is a highly stylized version of a popular classical ornament, the acanthus plant's curving leaf. One way to stylize vegetation was to render it flattened, without light or shadow. Another was to create imaginary plants made up of elements borrowed from different types of vegetation. Finally an artist would isolate one part of the plant, repeat and rearrange it into an interlacing design.


Carpets

The carpets of Islamic regions are world-renowned for their great beauty and technical excellence. Initially a peasant industry carpets were used not only as floor coverings, but as wall hangings, storage bags, cushions, blankets, prayer rugs, and saddle covers. The carpet styles of various regions developed independently of one another, employing different motifs and favoring certain color schemes.

Severe geometric abstractions characterized Caucasian carpets.



In Persia the designs were suave and poetic, the motifs usually naturalistic.

The Turkish carpet motifs were also derived from nature but highly stylized.

Mosque Lamp painted in blue and green. Turkish 16th century

Dish painted in polychrome. Turkish (Isnik) 16th century


Ceramics

Islamic potters strove to equal in technical excellence the very fine wares then coming from China. Unfortunately they lacked the correct type of clay for the most delicate pieces. Despite this handicap they succeeded in creating pieces of great beauty and developed many original decorative techniques including lustre ware and a method of polychrome painted ware called Minai. These same decorative techniques were utilized in tile making, and in this industry at least, the Muslims were unsurpassed.



Albarello
Lustre painted on blue glaze.

Syrian or Egyptian, 14th century

Tile Panel in Saray, Istanbul. Mid-sixteenth century.

Formal balance

One final characteristic of Islamic art, which is by no means unique to the style, but nonetheless notable, is the typical use of a very formal balance. The principles of balance and symmetry are strictly observed. In order to achieve symmetry the artist will repeat the same exact elements on both halves of a piece of art in reversed order, so that both halves mirror one another. Alternatively, a basic pattern may be constantly repeated across an expanse or around a central design or medallion.

Painting

No ancient canvases or wood panel paintings of Islamic origin have been found. However, excavations have uncovered fragmented wall paintings of a secular nature and Muslims are responsible for a great number of illuminations, small paintings on paper which serve as illustrations for books. See miniature paintings.

A golden leaf from the Quar'n.

A Humble Art

Islamic designs are created with rather humble aspirations; to enrich an environment or to beautify an object. They seek to enhance rather than to dominate. Islamic artists are not trying to reveal their own personality or to create art which tells a story of its own. This art willingly takes a secondary role because to Muslims, the lead roles were cast long ago. Allah is the personality of Islamic art and the Quar'n is the story.




This brief description of Islamic art is indebted to the extensive writings and research of David Talbot Rice, Desmond Stewart, and Ralph Pinder Wilson.

About the Artist

Guide to Hatouf's pages

Hatouf's Gallery

Islamic Art Throughout History

Miniature painting