The Islamic Culture and Civilization

The term “illumination” originally denoted the embellishment of the text of handwritten books with gold or, more rarely, silver, giving the impression that the page had been literally illuminated.

Islamic paintings usually include religious beliefs and the civilization of the Muslims. Many manuscripts would include paintings signifying science, biography, history and poetry. Many artists are very careful to honor the values of the Islamic culture by choosing only materials that are Halal, lawful, in the Islamic religion. For example paintings are made using only brushes from synthetic, goat or ox hair, instead of using brushes from pig's or other animals which are forbidden to eat and use in Islam.

Image of Youth Pulling on Falconer's Glove

BY:

ANNA BAUCOMHITCH

CAILIN ALLEN

MADDIE ENDSLEY

The Golden Age

Islamic Art

Building the Islamic Empire

Islamic Historical Background

Throughout history, Islamic art has played a huge role in developing very abstract art, including floral, geometric, arabesque and calligraphic designs and techniques.

• The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire flourished through the mid-7th Century to mid-13th Century.
• During The Golden Age they prospered is philosophy, architecture and art and mathematics.
• The siege of Baghdad (in 1258), where the Mongols attacked at the heart of the Islamic Empire, not only leading to fall of Baghdad, but also the end of The Golden Age.

• Abu Bakr, Muhammad's successor and first caliph of Islam, immediately began his conquests which soon brought North Africa, Egypt and the whole Middle East under Muslim rule.
• As the Islamic Empire continued to dominate, their extensive influence on Art and Culture began to grow as well.
• Baghdad was founded just in the peak of this new dawn of Islamic culture and technology.

• Founded by the prophet Muhammad, the Islamic religion was born in the Middle East (specifically Arabia) in the 7th Century.
• The essential belief of the Islamic culture is that no one partners or equals to Allah, their one and only true god.

Arabic Design

There are three types of design:

• calligraphy
• figural representation
• geometric

Islamic Paintings

Manuscript Illuminations

Architecture

Islamic Culture and Civilization

A manuscript illumination is a hand written book that has been decorated with gold or silver, brilliant colors, elaborate designs, or miniature pictures.

• Mosque
• Arched and Vaulted structures
• Arabic Designs
• Minarets
• Onion Domes

The Qur'an is believed to be the actual word of god to the prophet Muhammad.

The Qur'an cannot be changed or copied due to its essential aspect to the Islamic religion. It would be considered a pious act.

The power of the Qur’an is so great that its verses are considered capable of protecting people from evil. Amulets and undershirts were inscribed with Qur’anic verses to save the wearer from harm.

Historical Questions

1. Who was the prophet who founded the Islamic religion?

2. Who was the first caliph of Islam?

3. When did the Golden Age begin?

4. What led to the fall of Baghdad in 1258?

Manuscript Illuminations and Painting Questions

1.What is a handwritten book that has been decorated with gold or silver, brilliant colors, elaborate designs, or miniature pictures?

2.Name the Islamic book that contains manuscript illuminations and the actual words of god to the prophet Muhammad, and also has power so great it can save you from harm.

3.What kinds of animals are considered honorable to make paint brushes out of and why are other animals not?

4.Islamic Paintings, which can be included in manuscripts, are mainly about what?

Design and Architecture Questions

1. What are three Arabic designs

2. What is a mosque?

3. What are minarets and what are they used for?

4. Would there be people in the art within mosques?

Bibliography

• http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam.html
• http://bahai-library.com/cobb_islamic_contributions_civilization
• http://teachmiddleeast.lib.uchicago.edu/foundations/golden-age-islam/essay/essay-01.html
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/283009/illuminated-manuscript
• http://islamic-arts.org/2012/the-qur%E2%80%99an/
• http://www.islamic-painting.com/en/artist.html
• http://www.themorgan.org/islamic

"Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History." Figural Representation in Islamic Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014.

"Islamic Arts and Architecture." Islamic Arts and Architecture. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014.

"Minaret." - Islamic Things. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.

PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.