Islamic
💡 Theme: “Divinity, infinity, and unity”
lots of religious messages and content — divine
created to last forever, teachings extend through time — infinity
art is uniform — unity
umma (Muslim community)
Historical Context
Muhammad received revelations from Angel Gabriel and God
dies in 632
Rashidun Caliphate (632-661)
Muslims divide into Sunni and Shi’a → several fitnas
Shi’a believe only direct descendants can lead
Sunni believe anyone can lead
conquest → fitnas (civil wars) → sword (war) or book (acceptance)
Umayyad Caliphate (661-750)
expansion and new art
N. Africa, Iberia → Cordoban style
Abbasids (750-1258)
golden age: math, astronomy, medicine, natural sciences + middle man trade
Mongols (Ilkhan Empire)
cross-cultural interest
Ottoman Empire (Turkish origin)
conquered Constantinople; constant threat to Europeans
Artistic Innovations
patrons: rulers and elite
painting/sculpture
aniconic: art is religious in content and function, but not in representation
arabesque: arab-like; vegetal flowing art
calligraphy (glorifies word of God
tessellations (repetition of geometric designs
God in math
architecture
Islamic 1
, mosques directed to Mecca
minarets call people to prayer
prayer rugs
The Kaaba
IDs
Islamic
granite masonry, silk curtain (gold + silver thread)
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Form
holiest site in all of Islam
small building with interior room
Function
orientation device
superiority of monotheism
Content
kiswa: black silk curtain, sacred, covers the Kaaba
black represents simplicity → Muslims meant to be simple equals before Allah
replaced yearly in a procession — re-draping ceremony during the hajj
Black Stone: believed to have been given to Abraham when he built the Kaaba; original stone given by Gabriel
last piece from og pre-Islamic structure
Context
hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca required by the 5 Pillars of Islam
goal is to kiss or touch the Kaaba (specifically the black stone)
pilgrims must walk around the Kaaba 7 times
structure was enlarged over time for pilgrims; set on fire, flooded, rebuilt several times
History of Kaaba
shrine built by Abraham and Ishmael to house Black Stone (gift from God and Gabriel) — show monotheism
pagan polytheistic shrine run by Qaresh tribe had cult statues
Muhammad appropriates the shrine and destroys cult statues during conquest of Mecca
Dome of the Rock
IDs
stone masonry, wooden roof + ceramic tiles, mosaics + gilted aluminum, bronze roof
Jerusalem, Palestine
Umayyad Islamic
Form
Islamic 2
💡 Theme: “Divinity, infinity, and unity”
lots of religious messages and content — divine
created to last forever, teachings extend through time — infinity
art is uniform — unity
umma (Muslim community)
Historical Context
Muhammad received revelations from Angel Gabriel and God
dies in 632
Rashidun Caliphate (632-661)
Muslims divide into Sunni and Shi’a → several fitnas
Shi’a believe only direct descendants can lead
Sunni believe anyone can lead
conquest → fitnas (civil wars) → sword (war) or book (acceptance)
Umayyad Caliphate (661-750)
expansion and new art
N. Africa, Iberia → Cordoban style
Abbasids (750-1258)
golden age: math, astronomy, medicine, natural sciences + middle man trade
Mongols (Ilkhan Empire)
cross-cultural interest
Ottoman Empire (Turkish origin)
conquered Constantinople; constant threat to Europeans
Artistic Innovations
patrons: rulers and elite
painting/sculpture
aniconic: art is religious in content and function, but not in representation
arabesque: arab-like; vegetal flowing art
calligraphy (glorifies word of God
tessellations (repetition of geometric designs
God in math
architecture
Islamic 1
, mosques directed to Mecca
minarets call people to prayer
prayer rugs
The Kaaba
IDs
Islamic
granite masonry, silk curtain (gold + silver thread)
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Form
holiest site in all of Islam
small building with interior room
Function
orientation device
superiority of monotheism
Content
kiswa: black silk curtain, sacred, covers the Kaaba
black represents simplicity → Muslims meant to be simple equals before Allah
replaced yearly in a procession — re-draping ceremony during the hajj
Black Stone: believed to have been given to Abraham when he built the Kaaba; original stone given by Gabriel
last piece from og pre-Islamic structure
Context
hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca required by the 5 Pillars of Islam
goal is to kiss or touch the Kaaba (specifically the black stone)
pilgrims must walk around the Kaaba 7 times
structure was enlarged over time for pilgrims; set on fire, flooded, rebuilt several times
History of Kaaba
shrine built by Abraham and Ishmael to house Black Stone (gift from God and Gabriel) — show monotheism
pagan polytheistic shrine run by Qaresh tribe had cult statues
Muhammad appropriates the shrine and destroys cult statues during conquest of Mecca
Dome of the Rock
IDs
stone masonry, wooden roof + ceramic tiles, mosaics + gilted aluminum, bronze roof
Jerusalem, Palestine
Umayyad Islamic
Form
Islamic 2
