Comparative Arts Islamic Civilizations September 27, 2010

Constantinople -once fortified by walls that withstood attacks until the Turks captured it in 1453, after which it became a Muslim city -Constantinople was one of the richest and most cosmopolitan and sophisticated in the world – entertainment included chariot races, theatre productions -Justinian and Theodora, the notorious Empress and Emperor, constructed the Church of the Holy Wisdom, or Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, , Istanbul – built for Justinian and Theodora -masterpiece in Byzantine architecture -central dome is buttressed by smaller half domes -appears solid from the exterior -unlike the Roman Pantheon, which sits on a circular base, the dome of the Hagia Sophia sits on a square base supported by four large piers

Hagia Sophia -while domed, it is not a centrally planned church like San Vitale due to the oval nave -single focus of attention as well as a great open space – combined the advantages of the longitudinal basilica plan with those of the domes central plan -transition from circle to square supported by pendentives, pieces of triangular supporting masonry

-lofty interior -dome seems to float

Minarets were added to the Hagia Sophia by Ottomans when they converted it into a mosque

Islamic Civilizations Origins Islam began on the Arab Peninsula – one of the world’s youngest religions Emerged from Judaism and Christianity Was proclaimed by Muhammad in the town of Mecca in 610 CE Muslims believe that Islam is the third and final revelation of God’s truth, the first two being Judaism and Christianity Muhammad is believed to be the final culmination of the tradition of prophets that extends from Abraham to Moses to Jesus Muslims believe Muhammad received the word of Allah (God) directly and recorded it in the Koran (Q’uran), or holy book

Basic tenets of Islam A single God, or Allah, is all-powerful – he created the universe Humankind is Allah’s supreme creation and are created in the image of Allah Men and women possess distinct individual souls which are immortal and can live eternally with Allah, providing they live their life according to Islamic teaching (which, like all religions, can be interpreted in a variety of ways) To achieve heaven, Muslims must accept belief in Allah as the one and only supreme being and must practice their religion according to the ‘five pillars’ of Islam: 1.Repetition of the creed 2.Daily prayer 3.Almsgiving 4.Fasting during Ramadan 5.Pilgrimage to Mecca once in one’s lifetime if one is able Daily prayer is recited five times per day and cleanse themselves before praying During prayer, Muslims must face in the direction of Mecca

-The kaaba is a cube-shaped object in the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and is the most sacred site in Islam. -The building has a mosque around it, the Masjid al-Haram -all Muslims must face the kaaba during prayers no matter where they are in the world -believed to have been built by Adam, the first man on earth

Islamic art Forbids the creation of representation of god’s creatures Islamic design motifs are recognizable and can be divided into three main categories: – Floral design – Geometric designs – Calligraphy, writing in Arabic script

Floral motifs

geometric designs

calligraphy

Mosques: Muslim places of worship The five daily prayers are held in mosques as well as Friday congregations, as Friday is the holy day for Muslims The Imam leads the prayer Mosques originated on the Arabian Peninsula but are found on all inhabited continents Many mosques have a minaret, or tall slender tower that is situated at one of the corners of the mosque – Minarets were originally intended to bring mosques on par with Christian churches with their bell towers – Mosque architects borrowed the shape of early bell towers, which were used for essentially the same purpose: calling the faithful to prayer Worshipers must wash before entering the mosque – washing areas are a key feature in mosques Mosques have no furniture – worshipers sit on the floor

Mosque design Extremely flexible – there is no one pattern for mosque design Mosques must have the following features: – Must face in the direction of Mecca – Must have an open area for worshipers – Mihrab – niche in the wall that indicates the direction of Mecca Other features include: – A minbar, or stepped feature from which the Imam conducts the service – carpets

China Tunisia

Yogyakarta, Indonesia Melaka, Malaysia

Pakistan Poland How is the variation of mosque styles similar to the variation found in Christian houses of worship?

Mosque at Cordova, Spain, started in 786 CE (Islam is said to have begin in 622 CE)

Mosque of Sultan Sulayman, main mosque of Istanbul, enormous complex that includes tombs, hospitals, and facilities for traveling merchants

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, CE Mosque of Sultan Sulayman, Istanbul, CE How is the Hagia Sophia similar to the Mosque of Sultan Sulayman? Why are they so similar?

Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain – palace fortress one of the masterpieces of Muslim architecture

Architectural function is obscured – structural features are disguised in light-looking lacy webs, stone ceilings appear to float

-Court of the Lions, Alhambra -Quintessential Moorish style -emphasis on decorative surfaces, all surfaces ornamented

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, late 680s-692 CE This is a holy site for Jews, Christians and Muslims?

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, late 680s-692 CE This is a holy site for Jews, Christians and Muslims? -site of patriarch Abraham’s aborted sacrifice of his son, Isaac -site of Solomon’s Temple where Jesus debated rabbis and where he preached

Intricate tile work on the exterior of the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

Interior views of the Dome of the Rock

Hisham’s Palace, Jericho, Palestine

1550 CE Persian miniature painting, depicting the Prophet Muhammad ascending on the Burak into the Heavens -the art form peaked during the 13 th -16 th centuries -was heavily influenced by Chinese paintings as the Mongol rulers of Persia brought with them numerous Chinese artists (Islamic angels depicted wearing Chinese robes!) -Persian miniatures influenced later Mughal miniatures

Chinese miniature painting, 1494 CE

Silk Road

Persian miniature, depicting the construction of a fort, Heart, Afghanistan, 1494 CE

Isfahan, Iran, 1669

Mughal miniature, newly crowned emperor on throne

17 th century Mughal painting