West and Central Asia (Islamic influence) Chapter 13

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

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. 691-692 ce. with multiple renovations. Stone masonry and wooden roof decorated with glazed ceramic tile, mosaics, and gilt aluminum and bronze dome.

Typical plan of Mosque

Great Mosque, Damascus, Syria, 706-715

Mosaic detail, Great Mosque, Damascus

Detail of mosaic in courtyard of Great Mosque

Great Mosque, Tunisia: aerial view/plan

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

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

Form Content Function Context Themes Terms 56. Great Mosque. Cordoba, Spain. Umayyad Dynasty. C. 785-786. C.E. Stone masonry

Prayer Hall, Mosque, Cordoba, Spain 961-965

Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain Maqsura & Dome

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

Form Content Function Context Themes Terms 65. Alhambra. Granada, Spain. Nasrid Dynasty. 1354-1391 C.E. White washed adobe stucco, wood, tile, paint and guilding.

Dome from Alhambra, Granada, Spain 1354-1391

Alhambra, Court of Lions

Form Content Function Context Themes Terms 84a. Mosque of Selim II. Edirne, Turkey. Sinan (architect). 1568-1575. Brick and stone b. Mosque of Selim II (interior view, dome) c. Mosque of Selim II plan

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

Sinan the Great and the Hagia Sophia

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

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. 1632-1653 C.E. Stone masonry and marble with inlay of precious and semiprecious stones; gardens

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. 1320-1340ce brass inlaid with gold and silver

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. 1330-1340 ce ink and opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper

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. 1522-1525 ce. ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

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 – 80-160 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. 1539-1540 ce. silk and wool

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. 631-632 ce multiple renovations granite masonry

Form Content Function Context Themes Terms 208. Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh  Bichitr. c. 1620 C.E. Watercolor gold, and ink on paper