Download
1 / 164
2.15k likes | 3.03k Views
An introduction to Islamic Architecture and its influence on the West. As the European civilization grew and reached the Middle Ages, there was hardly a field of learning or form of art, be it science, literature or architecture, where there was not some influence of Islamic culture present.
E N D
An introduction to Islamic Architecture and its influence on the West.
As the European civilization grew and reached the Middle Ages, there was hardly a field of learning or form of art, be it science, literature or architecture, where there was not some influence of Islamic culture present. Islamic learning became in this way part and parcel of Western civilization well into the advent of the Renaissance (where exchanges continued to be based on mutual intellectual respect despite historic differences), and on to the modern era.
This presentation provides a short account of the features that characterize what is referred to as Islamic architecture, and recalls some of the threads and common elements that bind it to historic and contemporary western architecture.
Islamic culture reached out and intermingled with large numbers of varied and distant peoples. In the course of 12 centuries, the cultures of Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia were added to the Islam’s original areas of influence in the Middle East, North Africa, Persia and Turkey.
The uniting of so many diverse cultures under one religion had the effect of integrating and disseminating the latest and best discoveries to all parts of the realm. Paper making from China, numerals from India, classical Greek science and philosophy translations, Byzantine and Coptic traditions were all shared. In medicine the Muslims enhanced Greek theory by practical observation and clinical experience.
One of the major achievements of the Islamic civilization is its architecture. Its great masterpieces (from the Dome on the Rock in Jerusalem, the Taj Mahal in India to the Mosque of Cordoba in Spain) unite intricate spatial relationships, artistic illustration, remarkable structural technology and sensitive environmental harmony into magnificent displays.
Mosque of Cordoba Mosque of Cordoba, Spain
Islamic Architectural Style • Over the years, Islamic architecture evolved from the first mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad in Medina, and from other pre-Islamic features adapted from churches, temples and synagogues into a highly refined and distinctive style.
The fundamental vocabulary of Islamic architecture was worked out relatively quickly during the first two centuries of the new faith, that is the 7th and 8th centuries. It proved flexible enough to meet all the needs of Muslim life. Mosques, schools, markets, mausoleums, houses and public baths were built with a beautiful unified design system, embracing regional disparities and inventiveness.
The prime architectural elements that define Islamic style are: • Courtyard • Minaret • Dome • Mihrab • Iwan • Arches and Vaults • Geometric decorative patterns and calligraphy
Islamic architectural elements in a typical mosque. Source: Encarta
the Courtyard
Most mosques contain a courtyard (originally a feature of the Prophet's mosque) with a central fountain or pool, surrounded on all sides by an arcade. A courtyard (sahn) in a mosque is used for performing ablutions, praying, meditation and socializing. Grand Mosque, Aleppo Syria
An interior courtyard in a traditional house, on the other hand, is used for aesthetics and privacy. It performs an important function as a modifier of climate in hot arid areas. It allows outdoor activities with protection from the wind, dust and sun.
Interior courtyards serve both as light wells, in a building with limited exterior window openings, and as air wells into which the cool dense night air sinks. During the day, the heated air rises, convection currents set up an airflow that, in conjunction with a fountain and pool, ventilates the house and keeps it cool. Painting by: Filippo Baratti, 1872
Unique to Islamic architecture are the minarets. Their dual functions are to act as a landmark for mosque location; and to enable the call to prayer to be chanted high above the community for the faithful to hear.
Samarra Yemen Syria Seville Ottoman Taj Mahal Source: “Islam Art and Architecture” Source: “Islam Art and Architecture”
Domes, a dominant feature, may have been a development of early Christian sources. The earliest Islamic use of the dome was in the eighth century mosque of Medina. Some mosques will have multiple, often smaller domes in addition to the main large dome that resides at the central praying area 18th century panel representing the mosque of Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Khoja Ahmad Yasawi Mausoleum, Turkistan 14th century Photo: “Islam, Art and Architecture”
Sultan Mosque, Singapore, 1826 bearing multiple domes
The most important element in any mosque is the mihrab, the niche that indicates the direction of Mecca. Because it functions as the focal point in prayer ritual, its decoration was executed with great skill and devotion Mihrab in the tomb of Sultan Iltutmish, Delhi, 1236
An Iwan is a vaulted hall or space, used to intermediate between different sections. There are usually four around the courtyard. Sultan Hassan mosque, Egypt
To the early architects of the mosque we may attribute the development of the horseshoe and pointed arch and brick vaulted arcades
The Muslims developed the concept of the garden as a place of beauty and meditation, harmoniously integrated with the building layout. Islamic gardens were typically designed as a sort of escape or peaceful seclusion from the outside world.
The brilliant use of decorative schemes, geometric shapes and repetitive patterns are a hallmark of Islamic architecture .
Tiles. Iran, 14th century. State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg
Herat Mosque in Afghanistan Photo: “Architecture of the Islamic World”
Madar-i-Shah, Isfahan, Iran, 18th century Photo: “Architecture De L’Islam”
Plaster, brickwork, glazed brick and tile were used as decorative media . Dome on the Rock, Jerusalem Photo: “Architecture De L’Islam”
Stalactites (Muqarnas) • Vast numbers of small squinches were used as a decorative motif , built in overlapping layers creating a magical cave of satellites. • They were first used to cover pendentives , spherical triangles which act as a transition between a circular dome and a square or polygonal hall on which the dome is set. Photo: “Architecture De L’Islam”
Stalactites were later employed as a decorative features in door heads, columns capitals and on walls. Painting by M. Rifaat, 2006
Because the Muslim faith discourages pictorial representation, the extensive use of calligraphy evolved into a highly sophisticated decorative medium. Its role in recording the word of God renders it one of the most important forms of Islamic art. Like all Islamic decoration, calligraphy is closely linked to geometry. The proportions of the letters are all governed by mathematics. Inscriptions are most often used as a frame along and around main elements of a building like portals and cornices. The use of Ornamental Arabic Calligraphy
Many Islamic buildings have surface inscriptions in stone, stucco, marble, mosaic and/or painting. The inscription might be a verse from the Koran, lines of poetry, or names and dates.
