Islamic Art
The spread of influence around
the world
• Islam has 1500 years of Art and Culture.
• Islam forbids the creation of images of
Muhammad in order to prevent his
followers worshipping idols. There are no
pictures of people or animals in mosques.
Islamic art is made up of…
• Geometric Pattern
• Calligraphy (beautiful
and ornate writing)
• Ceramic work and
mosaics
• Weaving and textiles
Geometric Patterns
• A geometric pattern is one that is made up of
regular lines and repeated shapes. Shapes can
be reflected or rotated to create a pattern.
• Islamic artists often have a small deliberate
mistake in their patterns to show that they are
not perfect like Allah.
• Patterns and lines are unending – which
represents the infinite nature of Allah
The Circle
• Is an important shape
in Islamic religion and
Islamic geometric
design. It symbolizes
wholeness, unity and
perfection.
The Triangle
• The Islamic symbol of
consciousness. The
points symbolize the
knower, the act of
knowing and the
known.
The Square
• The square
symbolizes the four
elements earth, air,
fire and wind.
Star Patterns
• 8 pointed star is most
common
• It is made of two
squares that are
rotated
• Since squares are
considered the
perfect geometric
shape, the 8 pointed
star represents
perfection
The Hexagon
• Close in shape to a
circle and is
associated with the
perfection of a circle.
• It is the symbol of
heaven
Influences of Islamic Architecture
Around the World
• Taj Mahal, India
• Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain
• Great Mosque of Cordoba, Spain
Islamic Geometry
• Islamic scholars studied and built on the
mathematical ideas of the ancient Greeks
• •Islamic mathematical and astrological
ideas spread to Europe via the Moorish
occupation of Spain.
• Islamic ideas about geometry and
mathematics have been very influential on
European scholars over many years.
Islamic influences spread by
• Active trade in the Mediterranean
• Islamic tradesmen arrived in Venice, Italy in
1300s. Italians copies Islamic design onto their
own glasswork
• Migrating craftsmen spread Islamic design from
the Middle East to North Africa, India, southern
Italy, and Spain.
• Textiles were easy to fold and carry and helped
spread the influence of Islamic design
Islamic Influences in Modern Times
• The repeating patterns and lines of Islamic
art continued to influence European artists
in the 19th and 20th centuries