Islamic Art and Visual Culture

Islamic Art and Visual Culture is a collection of primary sources in translation accompanied by clear and concise introductory essays that provide unique insights into the aesthetic and cultural history of one of the world's major religions. Collects essential translations from sources as diverse as the Qur'an, court chronicles, technical treatises on calligraphy and painting, imperial memoirs, and foreign travel accounts Includes clear and concise introductory essays Situates each text and explains the circumstances in which it was written--the date, place, author, and political conditions Provides a vivid window into Islamic visual culture and society An indispensable tool for teachers and students of art and visual culture

Introduction 1 1 Foundations: Religious, Political, Juridical, and Administrative Documents from Early Islam and Places in Transition 6 2 Behavior, Gifts, Treasuries, and Collections 11 3 Art 23 Workshops, Guilds, and Crafts in General 23 Calligraphy and Scribes 31 Painting 50 Textiles 57 Ceramics, Glass, Ivory, and Other Media 66 Geometry, Aesthetics 74 4 Space: Architecture and Urbanism 78 Architectural Technique 79 Architectural Types and Elements 84 Urbanism and Land 91 5 Places 96 Pre-Islamic 96 Syria, Jordan, and Environs 99 Iraq 105 Al-Andalus 112 The Maghreb, Africa, and Sicily 119 Egypt 125 Turkey and the Ottoman Empire 135 Iran and Central Asia 149 South Asia 162 East Asia 175 Acknowledgments 177 Index 183