Particular Features of Islamic Art and Architecture



Particular Features of Islamic Art and Architecture

Introduction

Muslims believe in one God, Allah. He is the most Beautiful and loves beauty. Muslims reflect this concept of beauty in every behavior or work they perform. Islam strictly prohibits the portraying or sculpturing of humans and animal as it is an attempt to imitate the Supreme Lord, as said by Him, “Thou shalt not create graven images.” For this reason, Islamic art is different in its techniques. Though influenced by the Sassanian art, Central Asian styles and Chinese patterns, Islamic artists created their own distinctive characters to use in their work. Islamic art covers a variety of artistic elements but Arabesque, Anionic, Geometry and Calligraphy are the main components. These elements mark the base of Semantics and Aesthetics-the two fields of Islamic art (Gonzalez, 2007).

The most interesting element is Arabesque which is floral and vegetal pattern. Further, geometrical shapes are frequently used in Islamic art to create complicated designs. Calligraphy, which means beautiful writing, is another artistic production. It is the art of writing Qur'anic verses by using different scripts invented over a period of times. Islamic architecture also shows some distinguishing features. Many mosques, forts and palaces, built by Muslims, make a rich cultural heritage. Mosques are the best example of Islamic architecture. Walls, ceiling and doors are decorated with the calligraphy, geometrical designs and arabesque (Gonzalez, 2007).

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Concept of Arabesque

Study of Islamic art shows that Muslim artists apply a number of techniques and medium to beautify their objects and buildings. They introduced Arabesque which is a decorative motif made by leaves, flowers and vines entwined in a perfect manner and especially, used to enhance metalwork, ceramics, glasswork, garments, walls and frames of calligraphic inscriptions (El-Said et al,1993). Mathematical principals are specially taken care of in twisting ...