Islamic Art

Islamic art is part of the Faith unit of AP Art History. After the prophet Muhammad's religious message helped convert much of North Africa, the Middle East, and several other countries to convert to Islam. Islam also fractured into two divisions, the Shi'a and the Sunni, based on the claim of leadership and inheritance after Muhammad's passing. Despite this, Islamic art has several traditions and diversity.

Common Stylistic Characteristics

• Calligraphy: Calligraphy is one of the most popular art forms in Islam. It is an Arabic script that is considered one of the highest forms of art, since it is the medium that translates Allah's words. 

• Arabesque motifs: Common motifs include acanthus and split leaves, scrolling vines, spirals, wheels, and zigzags.

• Tessellations: See definition

• Jali: Jali (see definition) was an Islamic specialty and a cornerstone of their art.

• Geometric elements: Designs were able to be so complicated because they were used by compasses and straightedges. Islamic mathematicians ensured that conventions followed logic and reason.

• Elaborate prayer rugs: Prayer rugs were treasured, since they were a part of Islamic prayers, and decorated with ornate details. They frequently bore the mihrab motif and would have hundreds of knots. These knots were created in royal factories for the nobility or by women in tribal villages for the commonfolk.

• No pathos: Again, Islamic art was focused on reason. The art was intellectual and refined, meaning that it prized harmony over strong emotion.

• Lack of religious imagery: Though there was no clear ban on iconography, a lot of Islamic artists stay away from it. However, a lot of countries do use floral and animal designs. This is very different from Christian art, which often depicts Christ and other religious figures.

• Oriented towards Mecca: All mosques face Mecca because of the tradition for Muslims to pray 5 fives a day facing the holy city. 

• Minarets: Minarets (see definition) are common to remind Muslims of the time to pray

• Hypostyle halls: See definition. Examples of hypostyle halls in the image set are Great Mosque at Cordoba.

• Unified open interiors: The other most common structure for mosques is the unified open interior, which would have a central area with a dome. The ground plan is organized around the center. An example of this is Mosque of Selim II. 

• Centrally placed courtyards: Mosques were built around a courtyard. The first example of this was The Great Mosque in Isfahan.

Persian Manuscripts:

• Influence from Chinese painting: Even after the Mongols departed Persia, Chinese conventions survived in Persian manuscripts. This was often through the faces of the figures, their way of depicting natural objects (such as clouds and rocks), and their use of Chinese motifs (ex: dragons).

• Rich environments: Figures were often depicted in shadowless worlds and in environments rich with color. Even the clothes they wore were in a multitude of colors and rich patterns. 

• Precision of space: Text and calligraphy's harmony was stressed. Space was reserved for each, and it was important for artists to be incredibly precise.