Islamic Art

[Sameera]

Hi,

 

If anyone has any links to Islamic art, paintings or techniques, please share.

 

So far, I found these:

 

 

 

[Cosmos]

We just were looking at Islamic art last week. We looked primarily at Smarthistory. There are several articles under the Islamic art heading, and some of them have videos with commentary by art historians. We especially enjoyed the Damascus Reception Room from the Ottoman period.

[Sameera]

I like this painting of a flower seller. (You can enlarge the img by clicking).

 

 

Here's another (I don't know who originally painted these):

 

[Sameera]

Thank you for sharing, Cosmos! :)

 

Glad you liked studying the Ottomons. See these videos in your own time:

 

Islam: Empire of Faith (Comparitive, History) The Ottomans are in Part 3

 

 

In these paintings, the young girls are talking or playing, while the older men busy working, trading & sewing!

 

 

 

 

[Roadrunner]

http://www.amazon.com/Islamic-Design-Genius-Geometry-Wooden/dp/0802716350

 

 

Can't copy the image on iPad

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I think most of the above were painted by westerners.

 

The met on Islamic Art http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hi/te_index.asp?i=Islamic

 

The Freer and Sacklet collections in the Smithsonian http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/islamic.asp

 

[jhschool]

I think Islamic Art is mostly beautiful calligraphy and geometric designs and

flowers, because

drawing or painting the human form is not encouraged.

 

I think the pictures you have are beautiful, but I think they are illustrations of

people in Islamic countries.

 

I suggest you look up things like the Alhambra and all the designs inside it. They

are fantastic!

 

Here is a museum link:

http://www.lacma.org...c_art/intro.htm

Here is someone's webpage:

http://www.colostate...ore/islart.html

[Sameera]

I think most of the above were painted by westerners.

 

The met on Islamic Art http://www.metmuseum...x.asp?i=Islamic

 

The Freer and Sacklet collections in the Smithsonian http://www.asia.si.e...ons/islamic.asp

 

 

Thanks for sharing the awsome links! :) I will definitely research these.

 

If you know the painters from the above images I posted then I'll be grateful if you can share who the painters are here.

 

Regards

[Sameera]

I think Islamic Art is mostly beautiful calligraphy and geometric designs and

flowers, because

drawing or painting the human form is not encouraged.

 

I think the pictures you have are beautiful, but I think they are illustrations of

people in Islamic countries.

 

I suggest you look up things like the Alhambra and all the designs inside it. They

are fantastic!

 

Here is a museum link:

http://www.lacma.org...c_art/intro.htm

Here is someone's webpage:

http://www.colostate...ore/islart.html

 

 

 

Absolutely! Thank you for the appreciation and for sharing these great links! :)

 

These images I posted, however, I think do relate to Muslims and Islam or Islamic history. Being a Muslim all my life I know how animated pictures are discouraged by some Muslims, but there is nothing which I found that would disallow these images in the Islamic sense. When I say Islamic - I mean anything which is lawfully permitted, and I think good paintings about Muslims, or Islamic history are a bonus to Islamic art.

 

For more information, please read Islam & Fine Arts by Shehzad Saleem (scholar at Al Mawrid Institute)

 

The geometrical, floral, botanical & calligraphic designs are beautiful & very Islamic, but I was in the mood for both Muslim or Islamic fine art that is why I posted the above images. I want my children to see other paintings about Muslims or Islam, (not necessarily painted by Muslims),

 

For the geometrical Islamic designs if you have any links on how children can do motifs & designs then, please share & I will be grateful. We would love to learn geometry with art. :)

 

When my children were younger, they traced some of these designs some years back, from this Arabic Pattern Stained Glass Colouring book, by A.G Smith, but now want something a little more challenging:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

[Sameera]

http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/0802716350

 

 

 

Thanks for the link on the Islamic Geometry book - that's really useful & the type of resources I am looking for (sorry I did not see the link till now). :)

[Sameera]

Some more Muslim/ Islamic paintings (sorry do not know the painters names).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sameera]

 

[Sameera]

More beautiful paintings on the Islamic or Muslim civilization are here:

 

http://www.artgaller...tion/index3.htm

 

If anyone has painting techniques for any of the above paintings, then please share :)

[Kate in Arabia]

I think Islamic Art is mostly beautiful calligraphy and geometric designs and

flowers, because drawing or painting the human form is not encouraged.

 

I think the pictures you have are beautiful, but I think they are illustrations of

people in Islamic countries.

 

As far as I am aware, Islamic Art as a term refers to art that has come from or been developed in areas that had mostly Muslim peoples or were governed by Muslim rulers. I would say that traditionally the focus was more on inanimate things (including architecture), but there are considerable examples of art involving animate objects (my immediate thoughts turned to Persian miniatures). You can see quite distinct "waves" of thought in different areas of the Muslim world over time -- and different areas of Muslim thought -- where depicting people and animals is more discouraged/forbidden or less so. I think this is even true today.

 

jmo :)

[stripe]

Interesting topic. I wanted to add something else to this discussion -- contemporary art.

 

I am sure I've seen interesting articles in Saudi Aramco World (http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com ) in the past few years about contemportary artists, including photographers. (if you look under ART in http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/index/Subjects.aspx , you can go directly to articles) One of the things I like best about the publication is the list of museum and other exhibits in the back -- it always interests me to see different things going on around the world! Also, there have been some new museums and exhibits opening recently, such as in Qatar; some of them have contemporary art.

Here is info about the Qatari museum

http://www.mia.org.qa/en/ and http://www.googleartproject.com/collection/the-museum-of-islamic-art-qatar/

 

On the more traditional front, do you know what museums have a notable Islamic art section?

I am sure you heard about the exhibit at the Louvre.

http://www.louvre.fr/en/departments/islamic-art (from 7th to 19th C)

 

The Detroit Institute of Art also opened one recently. Here are some highlights from their collection

http://www.dia.org/art/search-collection.aspx?department=Islamic+Art

 

LACMA in Los Angeles and the Met in NY have had Islamic Art sections for some time.

http://www.lacma.org/islamic_art/intro.htm

http://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-museum/museum-departments/curatorial-departments/islamic-art

 

The Aga Khan Museum has many works online

http://www.akdn.org/museum/

And the museum in Malaysia

http://www.iamm.org.my/i_ex/ has less information online but sounds intriguing

 

Apparently the Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad, India will have the first Islamic art exhibit in India

http://www.salarjungmuseum.in/ , but I don't think it's finished yet

[Candid]

As far as I am aware, Islamic Art as a term refers to art that has come from or been developed in areas that had mostly Muslim peoples or were governed by Muslim rulers. I would say that traditionally the focus was more on inanimate things (including architecture), but there are considerable examples of art involving animate objects (my immediate thoughts turned to Persian miniatures). You can see quite distinct "waves" of thought in different areas of the Muslim world over time -- and different areas of Muslim thought -- where depicting people and animals is more discouraged/forbidden or less so. I think this is even true today.

 

jmo :)

I'm sure you are correct Kate, but when I look at many of the paintings above, I do not see anything that looks to me as if it was produced outside of Western Europe, when I click through to websites, I don't see things that are well arranged or organized in any way which makes me think the images have been put under the heading of Islamic Art by subject not by painter.

 

Here's the Wikipedia article on Islamic Art, while there are some things with small human figures, you can see the style is very different from what has been posted: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_art

 

You may also look at these sites to get a better idea of what art produced in the Islamic world looks like:

 

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/orna/hd_orna.htm

 

http://arthistoryresources.net/ARTHislamic.html (this site is mostly detailed links)

 

http://www.lacma.org/islamic_art/intro.htm

[MyThreeSons]

The Geometry text I use at our co-op has a lesson on Islamic Tile Designs, which I use at the beginning of each year to get the students used to using their straightedges and compasses.

 

I found this, which has some guided activities for using Geometric constructions to create Islamic art: http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/Islamic_Art_and_Geometric_Design.pdf

 

Here's another:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/t/teachers-resource-maths-and-islamic-art-and-design/

[Sameera]

I do not see anything that looks to me as if it was produced outside of Western Europe, when I click through to websites,

 

I see no names of western painters (or any painters) for the above images. If you know who are the painters then please do share. I would love it if anyone can share other works, whether by Muslims or others, on Islam, Muslims or anything related.

 

I don't see things that are well arranged or organized in any way which makes me think the images have been put under the heading of Islamic Art by subject not by painter.

 

All paintings related to Islam, or Islamic civilization and therefore Muslims, even if painted by others, are welcome in this thread. Thanks for sharing the links. :)

[Giraffe]

Have you looked at th Turkish art form known as Ebru, or marbling? It's beautiful!

 

www.hicabigulgen.com/en/about_ebru.htm

[Roadrunner]

Just adding to Stripe's list

 

http://www.loftartgallery.net/category/loft-art-gallery/

This is a link to Loft Art Gallery in Casablanca. They have profiles and paintings by a number of contemporary artists.

[Sameera]

You can see quite distinct "waves" of thought in different areas of the Muslim world over time -- and different areas of Muslim thought -- where depicting people and animals is more discouraged/forbidden or less so. I think this is even true today.

 

jmo :)

 

 

I totally agree. Islam is too vast & flexible. It can not be contained within a box by someone else's definition. Muslims follow God (Allah) the Messenger (pbuh), through his sayings and their scripture the Quran. From every Scholar to an ordinary Muslim, each one, have their own interpretation of what is classed as 'idolatry' or what is 'art'. Muslim doctors studied the anatomy of human beings. Ibn Sina drew sketches of the human body. If it was so 'unislamic' then neither would there be sketches of human figures, nor Muslims would have excelled in the field of Medicine.

 

Here's children's animated DVD's currently sold in various Islamic book stores. You can even watch some of the animated videos, free here:

 

http://www.muslimvil...nnel1/Video427/

 

http://kidsmedia.net/stories/index.asp

 

 

Best Wishes

[Sameera]

Just adding to Stripe's list

 

http://www.loftartga...ft-art-gallery/

This is a link to Loft Art Gallery in Casablanca. They have profiles and paintings by a number of contemporary artists.

 

 

Thanks! This is the one I liked the most from this list:

 

http://www.loftartga...med-krifla-140/

[Sameera]

Have you looked at th Turkish art form known as Ebru, or marbling? It's beautiful!

 

www.hicabigulgen.com/en/about_ebru.htm

 

 

Great, thanks for sharing, Ebru, See this video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DfHm1x44uw

 

 

At least we now know how we can recycle jam or honey jars!

[Sameera]

Interesting topic. I wanted to add something else to this discussion -- contemporary art.

 

 

Wow! Thank you and everyone else for posting this extensive resource - I will definitely have fun and enjoy looking through each link which you all have posted! :)

[Kate in Arabia]

I'm sure you are correct Kate, but when I look at many of the paintings above, I do not see anything that looks to me as if it was produced outside of Western Europe, when I click through to websites, I don't see things that are well arranged or organized in any way which makes me think the images have been put under the heading of Islamic Art by subject not by painter.

 

Agreed :)

[Sebastian (a lady)]

John Singer Sargent and Delacroix each have some paintings that include North African settings.

[Candid]

I see no names of western painters (or any painters) for the above images. If you know who are the painters then please do share. I would love it if anyone can share other works, whether by Muslims or others, on Islam, Muslims or anything related.

 

 

 

All paintings related to Islam, or Islamic civilization and therefore Muslims, even if painted by others, are welcome in this thread. Thanks for sharing the links. :)

 

No, but I do recognize styles and time periods of painting.

 

The problem is that if they are as I think, not only are they not Islamic artists, but they are also fanciful in their impression of the Islamic world. In many cases they are painted by folks who never saw one Islamic person in their whole life. In others they maybe based on brief voyages but not a lot of contact. So even as illustrations they fall short.

[stripe]

The problem is that if they are as I think, not only are they no Islamic artists, but they are also fanciful in their impression of the Islamic world. In many cases they are painted by folks who never saw one Islamic person in their whole life. In others they maybe based on brief voyages but not a lot of contact. So even as illustrations they fall short.

Many Arab restaurants have this theme going in their decorations, though, so I don't think it's necessarily seen as offensive. I think you do have a good point, though: is this real or a fantasy?

 

I remember in the Aramco calendar a few years ago there was a couch or chair covered in this fabulous fabric and I looked up the artists.... Ok, here it is

http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200706/popup.htm?img=images/calendar/2_lg.jpg

Bokja ( bokjadesign.com )

[Candid]

Many Arab restaurants have this theme going in their decorations, though, so I don't think it's necessarily seen as offensive. I think you do have a good point, though: is this real or a fantasy?

 

I remember in the Aramco calendar a few years ago there was a couch or chair covered in this fabulous fabric and I looked up the artists.... Ok, here it is

http://www.saudiaram...lendar/2_lg.jpg

Bokja ( bokjadesign.com )

 

I wasn't thinking of the offensive part, but that is certainly something to consider. I was more thinking of the the accuracy part if this is used as part of a history study.

 

I feel the same way about historical fiction. If you want to understand a time period, don't read historical fiction written in a time period removed from it. Study the literature of its time. (Obviously with younger children, this may be impossible, but this is the high school forum, where it is imminently possible.)

 

For instance, here's a Ruben's study of a group of Jewish people welcoming some royalty from another country. It takes place around 0 AD. But look how the people are dressed, just like well to do people in Rugen's time would have. It is not a very good way to study any time period but Ruben's.

[Sameera]

John Singer Sargent and Delacroix each have some paintings that include North African settings.

 

 

Thanks for letting me know, I will check out their art.

[Sameera]

Candid,

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

I think the above paintings which I posted for everyone to enjoy, are very beautiful by whoever painted them and as a Muslim I think these definitely depict Muslim history & Islamic art very well and will be using it for my children.

 

Best wishes

[Sameera]

There's a beautiful selection of Ottoman styled stencils here:

 

http://www.stencil-l...cils/page1.html

 

 

 

 

 

[Sameera]

I remember in the Aramco calendar a few years ago there was a couch or chair covered in this fabulous fabric and I looked up the artists.... Ok, here it is

http://www.saudiaram...lendar/2_lg.jpg

Bokja ( bokjadesign.com )

 

Thank you Stripe, for that fabulous fabric couch painting! :)

 

Do take a look here:

 

 

 

A folio from the Akhlaq-i Nasiri, a philosophical treatise written by one of Iran's greatest medieval intellects, Nasir al-Din Tusi.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6903183.stm

 

 

Painting by Iman Maleki

 

 

More beautiful paintings done by Iman Maleki here:

 

http://urga.over-blog.com/article-28201914.html

[stripe]

Thank you Stripe, for that fabulous fabric couch painting! :)

 

Actually it's a photo of a real couch! Isn't the fabric amazing??

 

I so wanted it. I enjoyed the month on the calendar tremendously.

 

The women who run the company that makes them, Bokja Design, work from Beirut but their fabric comes from many places along the Silk Road

http://cargocollective.com/madhinchy/A-Stitch-in-Time-Bokja-Design

http://bohocircus.typepad.com/boho-circus/2011/04/eco-boho-bokja-designs-bohemian-furniture.html

[Colleen in NS]

This amazon link has some great books!! I love this kind of design.

 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=islamic+patterns

[Sameera]

Thanks for the links.

 

Yes, the fabric designs are beautiful, just like the old stencil arts. I meant printing, sorry Stripe, been looking at too many paintings!

 

These were hand made:

 

 

 

http://www.4living.c...fe-Ottoman.html

 

Ottoman designs:

 

 

 

[Colleen in NS]

Those pouffes are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elegantlion]

The Geometry text I use at our co-op has a lesson on Islamic Tile Designs, which I use at the beginning of each year to get the students used to using their straightedges and compasses.

 

I found this, which has some guided activities for using Geometric constructions to create Islamic art: http://britton.diste...tric_Design.pdf

 

Here's another:

http://www.vam.ac.uk...art-and-design/

 

Thanks for those links. I'll be able to use those in our study as well.

[Lindi]

These are beautiful. I have always thought Islamic architecture and design was beautiful.

 

I have a respectful question, if you don't mind.

 

What is the Islamic feeling about drawing things, or does it vary from Muslim to Muslim? I have heard conflicting things. I assume you don't believe in depicting God. It seems you are not supposed to depict Mohammed, although he is not divine, but a most holy Prophet. Then, I've read that the more geometric artwork in many old mosques was made so beautifully because of a prohibition on painting the human figure but many of these painting do have human figures (though I don't know who the artists are). And of course, no modern day Muslim objects to photographs, at least not that I know of.

 

I am just curious, having heard different things.

[Kate in Arabia]

What is the Islamic feeling about drawing things, or does it vary from Muslim to Muslim?

 

It really does vary from Muslim to Muslim.

 

And about photographs, some object to photos (except where required -- like passports) and some do not.

 

:)