Islamic Art and Architecture

1
Islamic Art and Architecture
2
The birth of Islam

• During the holy month of Ramadan in AD 610, a
  merchant named al-Amin (the Trusted One), born
  in Mecca c. 570 in western Arabia, sought
  solitude in a cave a few miles north of
  Mecca.According to Muslim belief, the
  revelations of God were given to the prophet
  through the archangel Gabriel, and in that moment
  his name became Muhammad, the Messenger of God.
  Muhammad began to preach the message of the one
  God around 610, and these revelations were later
  codified in the Quran (which means recitation in
  Arabic).
• Islam (or submission to God in Arabic) arose
  in the late 7th century under the leadership of
  the prophet Muhammad.
• Muhammad is considered by Muslims to be the last
  in the line of Old and New Testament prophets.

3

• Two leaves from a manuscript of the Quran, c.
  9-10th century

4
Bowl with Kufic border, 9-10th centurySamarkand
ware

• The inscription reads Knowledge, the beginning
  of it is bitter to taste, but the end is sweeter
  than honey.

5
Elements of the mosque

• Sahn
• Qibla
• Mihrab
• Minbar
• minarets

6
Mosque plans
7
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, c. 687-91
8
Great Mosque at Cordoba (Spain) c. AD 961-976
9
Dome in front of mihrab
10
Court of the Lions, Palace of the Lions,
Alhambra, Spain, c. 1380
11
Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
12
Mihrab in Qibla wall
13
Qibla
14
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
15
(No Transcript)