Islamic Arts and Architecture (original) (raw)
The Alhambra
Considered as one of the most famous examples of Islamic art, the Alhambra is the culmination and grand finale of medieval Islamic culture on the Iberian Peninsula.
Islamic Art
The nonfigurative or abstract arts of Judaism and Islam must not be overlooked. The former art was revealed in the Torah and is exclusively sacerdotal. Islamic art is akin to Judaic art by…
Capturing the Spirit of Ramadan
“Capture the Spirit of Ramadan” International Photography Competition™ is a unique and unprecedented 30-day visual celebration that educates and enlightens thousands of viewers around the world as photos are shared every day during the holy month.
Around the World with Nusret Colpan
Nusret Çolpan (October 1, 1952 – May 31, 2008) was a Turkish painter, architect and miniaturist, renowned for his paintings in Ottoman miniature style depicting cities around the world, particularly Istanbul. He painted over 300 miniatures in his 30…
Arms and Armour Collection
A GOLD-OVERLAID WATERED-STEEL SHIELD, PERSIA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY of domed circular form with four applied bosses with gold overlaid decoration at the outer ring, comprising wholly of cusped cartouches filled with animal motifs…
The Alhamra at Granada
James Cavanah Murphy spent the last 12 years of his life preparing notes and drawings for a publication on this Moorish architecture. The resulting book, The Arabian Antiquities of Spain, was only partially…
Kitab-i Bahriye (Book of the Sea)
Originally composed in 932 AH / 1525 CE and dedicated to Sultan Süleyman I (“The Magnificent”), this great work by Piri Reis (d. 962 AH / 1555 CE) on navigation was later revised and expanded. The present manuscript, made mostly in the late 11th century AH / 17th CE, is based on the later expanded version and has approximately 240 exquisitely executed maps and portolan charts.
Album of Ottoman Calligraphy
This album (muraqqaʿ) of calligraphy in an accordion format was compiled in Ottoman Turkey in the twelfth century AH / eighteenth CE. It consists of leaves bearing fragmentary passages from the Qur’an (chapter…
Islamic Art
Islamic art is generally reckoned to cover all of the visual arts produced in the lands where Muslims were an important, if not the most important, segment of society. Islamic art differs, therefore,…
Lahore Fort over the years
I have had the chance to visit the Lahore Fort on a number of occasions. The fort always seemed to be in a worse condition than it was during my previous visit. While photographing…
Wazir Khan Mosque Lahore
The Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, is famous for its extensive tile work and frescos. It was built in seven years starting around 1634–1635 AD during the reign of the Mughal Emperor…
Through the lens of Peter Sanders
All Photographs by Peter Sanders © 2012 PETER SANDERS PHOTOGRAPHY LTD Makkah Madinah Saudi Arabia Jerusalem Turkey Spain Morocco Iran China Japan Malaysia …
The Alhambra – A Virtual Walking Tour
To understand the Alhambra you need to look at its history, location and surroundings. It is situated on the hill of Sabika, overlooking the city of Granada. Alhambra means, literately, “The Red” and…
Sana’a Rising – “a Venice built on sand.”
In mid-February 1978, on my first morning in Sana‘a, I woke up before first light. Illuminated by the flame of a single bedside candle, the undulating overhead ceiling beams, plastered in white gypsum,…
Calligraphy in Islamic art – beyond pen and paper
The development of sophisticated calligraphy as an art form is not unique to Islamic culture. Other examples include Chinese and Japanese calligraphy and illuminated bibles from north-west Europe including the famous Book of…
Illustrations of Islamic Architecture
The Alhambra Granada, Spain Built chiefly in the 13th and 14th centuries The Alhambra (from the Arabic, Al Hamra, meaning The Red) is an ancient mosque, palace and fortress complex built by the…
The Citadel (Lahore Fort)
The Lahore Fort is one of the noblest structures of its kind in the world. Rising out of the northwest corner of the walled city, it has been a symbol of its earliest days.
SADEQUAIN’S Calligraphy
Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Pakistani Awards), also often referred to as Sadequain Naqqash, was a world-renowned Pakistani artist, best known for his skills as a calligrapher and a…
Smithsonian collection of Qur’anic manuscripts
A collection of 9th–19th-century Korans (intact volumes and detached folios) from Iran, the Arab world, and Turkey at the Freer and Sackler galleries of Smithsonian’s Museums of Asian Art. Folio from a Koran…
Ceramic Vessel Collection at LACMA
A collection of over 230 ceramic objects (vessels) at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Vessel Greater Iran (Afghanistan) Vessel, 6th-8th century Ceramic; Vessel, Ceramic, Height: 6 5/16 in. (16 cm);…
Historic Illustrations of Islamic Architecture
Title: Dome of the Rock Other title: Qubbat al-Sakhrah (Mosque: Jerusalem); Mosque of Omar Date: circa 687–691 Current location: Yerushalayim, Mehoz Yerushalayim, Yisra’el Description of work: The historic illustrations included in this project…
Reading Masjid Wazir Khan
Wazir Khan’s Mosque, in the heart of the Walled City of Lahore, is one of the most thoroughly documented and discussed of our monuments. In 1887, Kipling (John Lockwood, father of Rudyard) discussed…
The Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid-e-Nabawi)
The Mosque of the Prophet was built in 622 by the Muslim community after they reached the city of Yathrib, which would later be called al-Madina al-Muanwara. The mosque was situated next to…
Islamic Calligraphy 1450-1925 A.D.- East
This calligraphic panel is executed in black (Indian) naskh on a pink paper decorated with gold cloud motifs and pasted to a light blue backing. The poem wishes a ruler (nicknamed the…
Islamic Architecture – Abbasid Period
Under theAbbasid caliphate (750–1258), which succeeded the Umayyads (661–750) in 750, the focal point of Islamic political and cultural life shifted eastward from Syria to Iraq, where, in 762, Baghdad, the circular City of Peace…
When Spain was Islamic
Considering Spain was ruled for – in some parts – up to 800 years by the Moors, it’s no surprise that lasting remnants of Spain’s Islamic past are present in everything from gastronomy…
Latest Entries
- August 5, 2016 · Kenza Saadi
The spirit of calligraphy - June 9, 2015 · Janet Kozak
Calligraffiti Art - February 19, 2015 · Bahria Town
Grand Jamia Masjid, Bahria Town Lahore - November 14, 2014 · Marina Alin
Unity in Diversity– Reflections on Styles in Islamic Art - October 13, 2014 · Janet Kozak
Aniconism in Islamic Art - March 5, 2014 · Intricate Works
Masjid Wazir Khan – Revisited - March 3, 2014 · Intricate Works
The Naulakha Pavilion
Videos
Islamic Art – Mirror of the Invisible World
This new ninety-minute film takes audiences on an epic journey across nine countries and over 1,400 years of history. It explores themes such as the Word, Space, Ornament, Color and Water and presents…
Qur’anic Manuscripts (8th to 18th Century)
Visit ‘Smithsonian Collection of Quranic Manuscripts‘ for images and description of the photographs presented in the slideshow. Note: Because of restrictions on Youtube in various countries, the above video may not be visible to…
A World of Beauty and Grace: Islamic Architecture of India
The architecture of Islamic mosques and tombs is an invaluable treasure of world heritage. Many countries have taken inspiration from this tradition. It is well know that the most famous Islamic monument of…
Al-Andalus – The Alhambra
Al-Andalus (Arabic: الأندلس) was the Arabic name given to those parts of the Iberian Peninsula governed by Muslims, at various times in the period between 711 and 1492. It refers to the Umayyad…
Taj Mahal – Music of Ancient India
“A tear of marble still on the cheek of Time” (Rabindranath Tagore) “Una lacrima di marmo ferma sulla guancia del Tempo”. Soundtrack: Traditional Music of Ancient India
Taj Mahal – Refined Elegance
The Taj Mahal: Symbol of India, architectural jewel, and monument to a grand passion. We take a closer look at the Taj Mahal and revisit its history – why it was built and…
An Islamic History of Europe
In this 90-minute documentary, Rageh Omaar uncovers the hidden story of Europe’s Islamic past and looks back to a golden age when European civilisation was enriched by Islamic learning. Rageh travels across…
Glories of Islamic Art
The Glories of Islamic Art is a four-part television series presented by scholar Dr Akbar Ahmed. In January 2007, the film was exhibited at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. Joining Dr Ahmed’s panel…
Islamic Art from Iran, Egypt, Syria, Turkey & Spain
About Yoho Yoho Media is a UK-based film production company, making documentary films for clients around the world. Theye’ve embraced ‘new school’ digital film-making and love working with the Red and Canon 5D…
When the Moors (Muslims) Ruled Europe (complete documentary)
An insightful documentary into the glorious rule of the Moors in Spain Join British historian Bettany Hughes as she examines a long-buried chapter of European history–the rise and fall of Islamic culture in what is…