Islamic art

Islamic art describes the visual works created by people living in Muslim territories since the 7th century CE.

This term is a broad concept used by Western art historians since the late 19th century. It covers a wide variety of lands, periods, and genres. While some scholars debate the term as a Western construct, the similarities in art across the Muslim world keep it useful. This includes more than 40 different nations. The art can be religious or secular, meaning it is not always connected to faith. It encompasses everything from tiny metal objects to massive architectural schemes.

One of the most important mechanisms in this art is calligraphy, or the art of beautiful writing. Calligraphy serves as a way to represent the written word as a medium of divine revelation. Artists use specific scripts, such as the symbolic kufic or the naskh script, to decorate various surfaces. These scripts can appear on the walls and domes of large buildings. They also adorn the sides of minbars, which are pulpits, and on metalwork. Even small items like coins often feature elegant lettering. Sometimes, calligraphy is used to record ownership, donations, or verses of poetry.

Patterns and shapes are also central to the visual experience. The arabesque is a common style involving spiraling plant forms. These designs are often used to symbolize the infinite and indivisible nature of God. Artists also use complex geometric patterns across many different media. These patterns can be found in ceramic work or large tiling projects. In some traditions, artists might intentionally include mistakes in repetitive patterns. This act is meant to show humility, suggesting that only God can achieve true perfection.

Islamic art has developed through many different cultural influences. Early developments were shaped by Roman, Byzantine, and Sassanian art. Later, traditions from Central Asian nomads added new layers to these styles. Chinese art also had a significant impact on how artists made pottery, paintings, and textiles. These influences merged to create a rich, diverse visual language. This history shows how different cultures can interact to form a new, shared artistic tradition.

There are several distinct types of objects produced within this tradition. Textile arts include items like embroidery, clothing, and famous carpets.

One notable example is the Ardabil Carpet, which is considered a fine surviving Persian carpet from the mid-16th century. Other forms include glass, pottery, and metalwork used for household objects. Architecture is another major category, involving the decoration of mosques and other large buildings. Even small items like ivory caskets or decorated bowls show these artistic skills.

Another important category is figurative art, which depicts human and animal forms.

While some interpretations of Islam include aniconism, which is a ban on depicting living beings, figurative art has historically flourished. Some believe this ban exists to prevent idolatry or because creation is seen as God's prerogative. However, many rulers ordered figurative works, especially in Persian, Mughal, and Ottoman traditions. These often took the form of miniature paintings. These small, detailed pictures were frequently used to illustrate historical or poetic stories. Some painters focused on luxury and bright colors, while others painted simple scenes of daily life.

These artistic traditions connect to many broader themes, including religion, politics, and identity. Calligraphy can even cross cultural boundaries, such as the use of Arabic verses in Chinese calligraphy at the Great Mosque of Xi'an. In the mid-20th century, Indonesian painters even combined Islamic calligraphy with Abstract Expressionism. This movement was centered at the Bandung Institute of Technology. By blending religious symbols with modern styles, they created a new form of Abstract Art. This shows how Islamic art continues to evolve and connect with different global movements.