Islamic Architecture and Art

The architectural style of the Islamic Empire spread throughout the Middle East, Northern Africa, Spain, and parts of Asia during the Middle Ages. Many of the elements were inspired by the Islamic religion.Major Elements of Islamic ArchitectureArches - Arches were commonly used in Islamic architecture. One unique type of arch was the horseshoe arch which is named for its distinct horseshoe-like shape at the top of the arch. Another popular type of arch was the ogee arch. This arch had a pointed top which gave the arch strength and an interesting look.Domes - Domes were commonly used in large mosques and palaces.Iwan - An iwan is a vaulted rectangular portal that often opened into a courtyard.Minaret - A tall and thin tower used to call Muslims to prayer.Muquarnas - A type of decoration that created domes and arches by using smaller structures that looked like honeycombs. What elements of Islamic Architecture do you see in the picture above? (there are more than one) BuildingsMosques - The most important building in the Islamic Empire was the mosque. This is where Muslims go to worship and pray. Mosques varied in size and decoration, but had some similar characteristics including a minaret, a prayer room, a courtyard, and a niche in one wall to show the direction of Mecca. Some famous mosques include Al Haram Mosque in Mecca, Al Nabawi Mosque in Medina (Saudi Arabia), and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.Palaces - The Islamic leaders, called caliphs, built large palaces. Often, these palaces served both as a home and as a fortress. Many palaces had towers and tall walls for protection. One of the most famous examples is the Alhambra in Spain. It was originally a small fortress built in 889 CE, but was later turned into a palace in 1300s.Tombs - Another lasting example of Islamic architecture is the tomb. Tombs of great leaders were often built as part of a larger complex that included a mosque. Examples include the Green Dome (the tomb of Muhammad), the tomb of Tamerlane, and the tomb of Sultan Hassan. Perhaps the most famous Islamic tomb is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in honor of his wife. What did palaces act as other than a home for caliphs?What color dome was the color of the tomb of Muhammad? Gardens and CourtyardsCourtyards and gardens were an important part of early Islamic architecture. Many buildings had a courtyard or garden where people could relax. Fountains were common in these areas to help cool people down from the dry desert heat.DecorationsMost of the decorations in Islamic architecture involved intricate patterns. These patterns were often carved into the ceilings, walls, and doors of important buildings. Images of animals and people were avoided for religious reasons.Arabesque - One type of decoration is called arabesque. Arabesque used intricate patterns that looked like plants, leaves, and flowers.Geometric patterns - Another type of pattern used geometric shapes of different types to form colorful and interesting repeating designs.Calligraphy - Arabic words written in calligraphy were another popular form of decoration. Often verses from the Quran or famous religious sayings were used. What were gardens and courtyards used for?What types of images are not allowed to be used for decoration in the Islamic faith? ArtArt from the Islamic Empire covers a wide range of forms and style, reflecting the large geographical area and wide variety of cultures included in the empire. We discuss some of the most common aspects of Islamic Art below. CeramicsOne major form of Islamic art was ceramics. Early Islamic artists created a wide variety of ceramic glazes and styles. Some were influenced by Chinese porcelain, while others created their own unique ways of glazing pottery. In addition to beautiful pieces of pottery, Islamic artists created great pieces of art using ceramic tiles. These tiles would sometimes be used to cover walls or the entire outside of religious buildings with bright patterns and designs.CarpetsOne of the most practical forms of Islamic art was the carpet. While carpets were used in everyday life as floor coverings, prayer mats, wall hangings, and cushions, they were also beautiful pieces of art. These carpets often used colorful repeating geometric designs or arabesque patterns. They became a major export from the Arab world to other areas of the world including Europe.CarvingsElaborate carvings were another popular form of art. They incorporated the same arabesque and geometric patterns used in other forms of Islamic art. Carvings were often made using wood, but could also be made from ivory, stone, or plaster. They were used to decorate important buildings, like mosques, including the ceiling, doors, and wall panels. Stands for the Islamic holy book, the Quran, were often pieces of art carved from wood. What form of ceramics were used by Islamic artists to decorate walls and buildings? What form of Islamic art was used as cushions, wall coverings, and prayer mats? What form of Islamic art was used to create elaborate stands for the Quran? What form of Islamic art became a major export to other areas of the world? Pottery Paintings Carpets Carvings Describe some details about this Persian carpetA Persian Carpet by Unknown. Mid-16th century. Painting The most popular type of painting in the early Islamic world was "miniature painting." These paintings were small and were used in fancy books called "illuminated manuscripts." These paintings were different from other pieces of Islamic art in that they often contained pictures of animals and people. This was because they depicted scenes from stories in the book.Calligraphy Calligraphy, or decorative writing, was very popular in Islamic art. Often designs were created using calligraphy. In many cases, the writing would be a religious saying or verse from the Quran. Calligraphy would often be combined with geometric and arabesque patterns. How were "miniature paintings" different from other pieces of Islamic art?