Chapter 10: Islamic
Art
Warm-up 1-29-15 Respond to the Following:
Exam Review
Obj: SWBAT use
sophisticated art
knowledge to
score 80% or
more on the final
exam
1. What are the typical characteristics of
Islamic art and architecture?
Islamic Context
•Islam is monotheistic, based on the
teachings of the prophet Muhammad
•Muslim house of worship = MOSQUE all
attention toward MECCA (the holy city)
Stylistic Characteristics:
•Calligraphy—decorative writing
•intellectual, refined, and decorative, no
strong emotion
•avoid figure imagery, abstract designs
instead
• Arabesque--Flowing, intricate, symmetrical
pattern deriving from floral motifs
3
Due Today:
Nothing
PAST DUE:
No late work excepted
Agenda:
Warm-up
 Announcements and
Reminders
 Notes
 Exit Slip

Future Due Dates:
Mon 2/2—Chapter 10 Cue Cards
(10 cards total) and Quiz
HW : Read Chapter 10 Islamic art
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Thursday 3:00-4:00
January/February 2015
Today
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Quiz & Cue
Cards Due
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ISLAMIC ART
Theme: In Praise of Allah:
Dates: c. 650 to present
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The Islamic World
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Hypostyle hall mosque
1. Qibla wall – points towards Mecca so
people know where to face when praying
2. Mihrab--niche in the qibla wall, function
varies and is often unclear,
3. dome is often located over the top of
the mirhab
4. Hypostyle hall – room with columns,
used in mosque for prayer, can be
extended easily
Minbar – podium near the mirhab
7. Forecourt – courtyard for fellowship
8. Minaret – tower where Muslim crier
calls people to prayer, come in different
shapes, sizes and numbers
Figure 13-8 Plan of the Great Mosque,
Kairouan, Tunisia, ca. 836–875.
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Great Mosque,
Córdoba, Spain
Built on the site of
a Christian church
Muslim rulers
wanted Cordoba
to rival cities in
Middle East
APPROPRIATION
of PLACE –
Columns taken
from Roman
buildings, and
Christian church
But…
Figure 13-11 Prayer hall of the Great Mosque, Córdoba, Spain, eighth to tenth centuries.
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•Columns were too small…so,
they created double arches
increased height and air circulation
(accomadates large number of
people)
•Alternating red and white
voussoirs
•HYPOSTYLE mosque: no central
focus, no congregational worship
•Complex dome over mihrab w/
elaborate squinches
•Original wooden ceiling replaced
by elaborate vaulting during period
of flourishing artistic revival in 10th
c. (installed by Byzantine =
interconnectedness of medieval
Mediterranean)
•Reflects interest in geometry
© 2005 Saskia Cultural Documentation, Ltd.
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Arabesque (above portal)
Flowing, intricate, symmetrical
pattern deriving from floral
motifs…
reflects belief that the universe is
based on logic and clear design
Figure 13-11 Exterior view
Mosque of Córdoba
Moorish Portal: Arabesque above portal, South side of
the Mezquita
© 2005 Saskia Cultural Documentation, Ltd.
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Great Mosque, Cordoba
Prayer
Hall
Gardner’s 12th ed., Chapter 13, multimedia cd
Maqsura
http://www.red2000.com/spain/cordoba/photo.htm
www.oberlin.edu/art/images/art109/art109.html
l
Gardner’s 12th ed
www.oberlin.edu/art/images/art109/art109.html
Koran
www.accd.edu/.../arts1303/Chapter13G.htm
Figure 13-12
Maqsura of the Great Mosque, Córdoba, Spain, 961–965.
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Figure 13-13 Dome in front of the mihrab of the Great
Mosque, Córdoba, Spain, 961–965.
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