Islamic Art Overview

Overview

Islamic art encompasses works created for Muslim faith, produced in Muslim-ruled lands, made for Muslim patrons, or by Muslim artists. Islam fostered a distinctive culture with unique artistic language reflected throughout the Muslim world.

Historical Development and Origins

• Newly conquered lands retained preexisting artistic traditions; artists continued working in indigenous styles for Muslim patrons
• Early Islamic art blended classical, Iranian, Byzantine, and Sasanian decorative themes and motifs
• Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem exemplifies amalgam of Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and Sasanian elements
• Uniquely Islamic art emerged gradually under influence of Muslim faith and nascent Islamic state
• Umayyad caliphate rule (661-750) considered the formative period in Islamic art development

Classification and Periodization

• Metropolitan Museum organizes Islamic art by dynasty reigning when work was produced
• Classification follows Islamic history divided by ruling dynasties
• Early unified state governed by Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties
• Later regional dynasties include Safavids, Ottomans, and Mughals
• Periodization reflects general precepts of Islamic history punctuated by dynastic rule

Distinctive Characteristics

• Islamic art retained intrinsic quality and unique identity despite geographic spread and long history
• Religion of Islam serves as cohesive force among ethnically and culturally diverse peoples
• Art produced by Muslim societies maintains basic identifying and unifying characteristics
• Most salient feature: predilection for all-over surface decoration
• Unity persists across regional, national styles and historical developmental changes

Core Decorative Components

Islamic ornament consists of four basic elements that define its aesthetic tradition: