Islamic art has been the subject of research for Western scholars since the 19th century and for Western-educated Muslim scholars in recent decades, meaning that the name was not recognized by its creators, but the term "Islamic art" first appeared in English academic settings
Islamic lands, despite the diversity in customs and culture, each has formed a unique artistic heritage, which is collectively known as Islamic art. The spread and influence of Islam in the countries of West asia caused the emergence of new arts such as the art of ceramic making, lamp making, and the art of Painting and calligraphy on glass. Islamic art is known from its name, it is called art that was created after the birth of Islam. An art based on Islamic beliefs and principles. Perhaps the most obvious feature of Islamic art is that it does not allow sculpting and face painting and portraits in general.
Calligraphy holds a significant place in Islamic art. Arabic calligraphy, particularly Quranic verses and religious texts, is intricately written and often used to decorate mosques, manuscripts, ceramics, and architectural elements. Arabesque patterns consist of interlacing geometric shapes, often based on plant motifs. These designs are prevalent in Islamic architecture, including intricate tilework, woodcarving, and plasterwork seen in mosques and palaces. Persian miniature painting flourished during the Islamic Golden Age. These small-scale paintings depict historical events, literary scenes, and mythological narratives. They are characterized by detailed brushwork, vibrant colors, and intricate patterns.
Ottoman illumination, known as "Tezhip" or "Ebru," involves the intricate decoration of manuscripts, calligraphic panels, and other surfaces with Gold leaf, colorful pigments, and delicate geometric and floral designs. Zellige is a form of Islamic tilework found in Moroccan architecture. It consists of intricate geometric mosaic patterns created by assembling small, colorful tiles to form elaborate designs on walls, floors, and fountains. Ebru is the art of creating colorful patterns on water using pigments, which are then transferred onto paper. This technique produces mesmerizing, marbled designs used in bookbinding, calligraphy, and as standalone artworks.
Iraq has a rich tradition of wood carving, particularly seen in the intricate Mashrabiya screens. These wooden latticework screens, found in traditional Iraqi architecture, feature geometric patterns and allow for airflow and privacy simultaneously. The advice of Islam is to avoid painting and making pictures of people on the walls of your house and buildings. Instead of this design of Flowers and plants, nature, geometric designs such as Shamsi, Khatibi design and other geometric designs are used to the highest extent in Islamic art.
Islamic art is a word that was first used by orientalists and they started researching in this field. Islamic art has been the subject of research for Western scholars since the 19th century and for Western-educated Muslim scholars in recent decades, meaning that the name was not recognized by its creators, but the term "Islamic art" first appeared in English academic settings. It was defined and then by French researchers - who are the first academic explorers of Islamic works - and then by other western explorers, it was finally extended to the definition of Islamic art and architecture.
Iran has a long history of metalwork, particularly in copper, brass, and silver. Skilled artisans create intricately engraved and hammered Metal objects such as bowls, trays, candleholders, and decorative items featuring geometric and floral motifs. Hebron tiles, originating from the city of Hebron in Palestine, are known for their blue and white color palette and beautiful geometric patterns. These tiles are used for architectural decoration and can be found in mosques and traditional Palestinian homes. Sadu weaving is a traditional craft of Saudi Arabia, particularly practiced by Bedouin communities. It involves the weaving of intricate geometric patterns and symbols in vibrant colors on textiles and carpets using a vertical loom.
