Islamic Arts

In the 1000 years following the revelations of the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca in the early seventh century AD, artists and craftmen in the areas dominated by Islam produced some of the world`s most beautiful works of art: from the Alhambra to the Taj Mahal, from illuminated copies of the Koran to exquisite decorative -- arts ceramics, textiles and metalwork. Although executed in different countries and across centuries, this creative flowering, nonetheless, bears enough common features to justify the term `Islamic art`. In this comprehensive survey, Jonathan Bloom and Sheila Blair highlight those characteristics that connect the various arts of all the Islamic lands, without minimizing the differences. They set artistic developments within their historical context and brilliantly capture the essence of Islamic culture. This book provides an excellent introduction to the subject for both the student and general reader. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.