by Shaheen Darr

Created on: May 08, 2008

The history of Islamic art began after the birth of Islam in the 7th Century. The rapid spread of Islam throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia led to an assimilation of the art of these countries into a new form of Islamic art. Traces of previous civilizations and their artistic influence could still be visible in the architecture of some of the buildings now occupied by the Muslims. The main difference was that Islamic art upheld the Muslim belief in the Oneness of God (Allah) and His creation. Any art form which meant painting or drawing images of animals and human beings was not allowed as this could lead to idolatory, something totally banned in Islam.

The belief that everything in nature is perfect and mathematically proportioned led to geometrical art in Islam. This was called Arabesque art. Simple shapes like a circle or a square were repeatedly arranged to make beautiful and intricate patterns. Other mathematical shapes like triangles and polygons were also used to form all sorts of different, continual designs.

During the Umayyad peiod (661 750 AD) textiles were designed with motifs of plants and other geometric shapes. Brocades, crochet and lace patterns were introduced with an Islamic theme. The emphasis was always on continuity to reflect this quality in nature, Allah's creation. Architecture also flourished in this period and it was during this period that, amongst other famous buildings, the dome of the rock in Jerusalem was built.

In the Abassid Period (750 1258 AD) Arabesque art flourished and was usually found on the walls of mosques (Islamic places of worship), on wood, metalwork and pottery. Turkish pottery was produced which had a typical design of blue continual plant designs on a white backgrownd.
The flowing nature of these designs again reflected the infinite beauty of nature and its continuity as a life giving force.

Glazing of Pottery was also introduced in this period. This glazing technique later spread to other Muslim countries and gradually also to the west.

During the Safayid dynasty (1501 1722 AD) Islamic art appeared on carpets and the Persian hand woven silk carpets came into being. Beautiful hand made rugs, carpets and prayer mats still continue to show us the intricacy and delicacy of Islamic art in most Muslim countries.

In the Nasrid Dynasty (1238 - 1492 AD) The geometry of Islamic art continued and the Alhambra Palace in Spain was built. The palace has lavish stone and wood carvings and the tiles on the ceilings, walls and floors use the same continuity of geometric design.

During the Moghul times, Shah Jehan one the Muslim leaders of India built the Taj Mahal entirely of white marble. This was another building in which the Arabesque theme was continued and it is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Another great Moghul emperor Akbar built various building projects which reflect Iranian, Cental Asian traditions combined with Hindu and Muslim traditions. Painting was also very much part of art during the Moghul times in India.

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