Introduction to Islamic art

Islamic art is often vibrant and distinctive.

Unlike Christian art, Islamic art isn't restricted to religious work, but includes all the artistic traditions in Muslim culture. Its strong aesthetic appeal transcends time and space, as well as differences in language and culture.

This is because of common features in all Islamic art which give it a remarkable coherence, regardless of the country or the time in which it was created.

There are, however, strong regional characteristics, and influences from other cultures are also visible.

The essentials of Islamic art

• Includes all Muslim art, not just explicitly religious art
• Islamic art seeks to portray the meaning and essence of things, rather than just their physical form
• Crafts and decorative arts are regarded as having full art status
• Painting and sculpture are not thought of as the noblest forms of art
• Calligraphy is a major art-form
  • Writing has high status in Islam
  • Writing is a significant decoration for objects and buildings
  • Books are a major art-form
• Geometry and patterns are important
• People do not appear in specifically religious art