Art of Islam

Year Published: 1970

Complete Record: Social studies, Middle East, Art History, Islamic art A photographic study of the collection of the Museum of Islamic Art, in Cairo., explaining the historical and religious background of Islamic art. A map shows how the Arabs spread from Arabia throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, the Balkans, Southern Russia and into the Far East. As Arabic culture grew more complex, is was influenced by Persian, Hellenistic, European and Indian art, but maintained its fundamental characteristics. The Arabic script of the Koran was the chief element of design, and was used to decorate walls, rugs and metal bowls. A lamp shows another element - stylized tendrils, flowers and leaves. A wood panel demonstrates borrowing from Hellenistic motifs. The arabesque, particularly associated with Islamic art is seen on a panel, a jar and a rug. From Persia artists learned to make realistic animal figures, but in Islamic art they became stylized and combined with inscriptions from the Koran. Bowls with shapes and design similar to those in the museum collection are still being manufactured in bazaars and workshops today. Aims to introduce the basic elements of Islamic art; to show one aspect of the culture of the Middle East; to trace the relationship between religion and art.