Islamic Art

Mr. Lopez
World Geography
 Introduction
• Islam is much more than a formal religion: it is an
integral way of life. In many ways it is a more
determining factor in the experience of its followers
than any other world religion. The Muslim ("One
who submits") lives face to face with Allah at all
times, and will introduce no separation between his
life and religion, his politics and his faith. With its
strong emphasis on fulfilling the will of Allah, Islam
has become one of the most influential religions in
the world today.
 The Religion
• The principles and teachings of Islam as a way of
life, a religious code, and a legal system were
initiated by Muhammad (ca. 570–632 A.D.) an
Arab merchant from Mecca. These teachings were
revealed to him over a period of many years
beginning in 610 and were written in the text
known as the Qur’an. The word of God, as set out
in the Qur’an and handed down in the sayings of
Muhammad forms the core of the religion.
 The Religion
The primary premise of the Islamic faith is
monotheism, a renunciation of all deities except
one, Allah, who alone is the creator, sustainer, and
destroyer of life. Islam is Arabic for ”submission,“
here to the single entity of Allah. The recognition of
Muhammad as Allah’s last prophet, a prophet like
Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the others that
preceded Muhammad, is also a key element of the
belief.
 Why Art?
• Islamic art conveys the spirituality and
quintessential message of Islam through a
timeless language which precisely because of
its timelessness as well as its direct
symbolism, is more effective and less
problematic than most of the theological
explanations of Islam.
 Why Art?

• It is the serene, intelligible, structured and

highly spiritual character of Islamic art which
more than any other element leads to a
correct understanding of the culture that is
Islam.
 Why Art?

• For an American audience an introduction to

Islamic Art can represent the first step toward
penetrating the history of a religion and a
culture that are often in the news but are
little understood.
 Islam & Art

• Contrary to modern ideas, Islam does not

consider art and beauty as a luxury. It
considers beauty to be a divine quality and
says that god loves beauty.
 Islam & Art
Neither the Qur’an nor the Traditions contain
specific mandates against figural
representation in art. However, both sources
take a firm stance against idolatry and the
worship of images. These beliefs were
interpreted strictly by early Islamic religious
leaders and as a rule against the depiction of
human or animal figures.
 The Three Principles
1. They are made up of a small number of
repeated geometric elements.
• The simple forms of the circle, square, and
straight line are the basis of the patterns.
• These elements are combined, duplicated,
interlaced, and arranged in intricate
combinations.
 The Three Principles

2. They are two-dimensional. Islamic designs often

have a background and foreground pattern.
• The placement of pattern upon pattern serves to
flatten the space.
• Artists of the Islamic world were largely
uninterested in linear perspective
 The Three Principles
3. They are not designed to fit within a frame.
• The complex arrangements and combinations of
elements are infinitely expandable; the frame
surrounding a pattern appears to be arbitrary and
the basic arrangement sometimes provides a unit
from which the rest of the design can be both
predicted and projected.
 Conclusion

Islamic art was the means whereby the spirit of

Islam penetrated into all types and modes of
activity, into all the moments of a man's life,
reminding him wherever he was of the divine
presence. Art was, and continues to be, a most
precious support for the Islamic ideals of life and
living.