Islamic art
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Islamic art is the art of Islamic people, cultures, and countries.
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Mediums of Islamic art
Islamic art throughout history has been mainly abstract and decorative, portraying geometric, floral, Arabesque, and calligraphic designs. Unlike the strong tradition of portraying the human figure in Christian art, Islamic art does not include depictions of human beings. The lack of portraiture is due to the fact that early Islam forbade the painting of human beings, including the Prophet, as Muslims believe this tempts followers of the Prophet to idolatry. This prohibition against human beings or icons is called aniconism. Over the past two centuries, especially given increased contact with Western civilization, this prohibition has relaxed to the point where only the most orthodox Muslims oppose portraiture.
Islamic art is centered usually around Allah, and since Allah cannot be represented by imagery ["All you believe him to be, he is not"], geometric patterns are used. The patterns are similar to the Arabesque style, which also involves repeating geometric designs, but is not necessarily used to express ideals of order and nature.
Calligraphy
- Main article: Arabic calligraphy
Forbidden to paint human beings and taught to revere the Qur'an, Islamic artists developed Arabic calligraphy into an art form. Calligraphers have long drawn from the Qur'an or proverbs as art, using the flowing Arabic language to express the beauty they perceive in the verses of Qur'an.
Some examples of styles of Arabic calligraphy include:
The study of Islamic art
Columbia University as well as Hunter College in New York offer Islamic Art History programs. George Washington University in Washington, DC offers and Islamic Art program which focuses more on the spiritual aspect of Islamic Art rather than the material.
See also
| Islamic studies |
| Islamic science |
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Islamic science • Timeline of Islamic science • Astronomy • Medicine • Mathematics • Islamic Golden Age |
| Islamic art |
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Architecture • Pottery • Calligraphy • Music • Poetry • Literature |
| Others |
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History • Philosophy • Theology • Mysticism • Jurisprudence • Economics |
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