themes
Sacred site
What is a minaret?
A tall tower on a mosque that reminds the faithful of the times to pray
- it calls the followers to prayer
- reminds when the prayer is recited
- most mosques usually have 4
What is the Folio from the Quran?
It is text from the Quran, which are words and stories that are based on Muhammad's teachings
what are the 5 pillars of Islam?
Profession of faith to Allah
Worship 5 times daily facing Mecca
Give alms to the poor
Fast during the month of Ramadan
Make a pilgrimage to Mecca
What was the purpose of the Taj Mahal?
what is the theme of "Dome of the rock"
Does religious art feature humans or animals?
no
- aniconic
What was the Basin or Baptistere de St. Louis used for with the French?
It was used for baptisms
what is the significance of the Kaaba?
It is the holiest place for Muslims and the Islamic faith
- where the Pilgrimage leads
What is the purpose of the Folio of The Court of Gayumar?
It was a historical narrative about the tradition and story of the Persian Empire.
What is calligraphy?
A type of decorative handwriting, normally it is Quranic inscription
- Kufic script is important
What was unique about the Great Mosque of Isfahan (Masjid-e Jameh)
it was built over numerous centuries and was an important cultural hub for the community around it
Why is the Dome of the Rock significant?
It is an important site for the Islamic, Jewish, and Christian faiths.
- Rock where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac
- The spot where Muhammad ascended to heaven
- Adam was buried there
What was Pyxis of al-Mughira used for?
It held perfume
What is the theme of "Rebellious Silence"
What is a Qibla and Mihrab?
A wall (and niche) in a mosque that notifies the followers of which direction to pray (facing Mecca)
- used in vaulting
- doesn't hold structural weight
- adds an aesthetic to the arches (geometric patterning)
What was the significance of the Pyxis of al-Mughira being made out of ivory?
Ivory was hard to access, and it was a very refined object
- it showed that it was an important object and was most likely made for someone in high power/status
What is the purpose of the Ardabil Carpet?
what is the theme of "Folio of Bahram Gur Fights the Karg"
historical narrative (and also possibly power and authority)
What are tessallations?
(and give an example of a piece that tessellations are used)
geometric patterns in art
- Ardabil carpet or Dome of the Rock
Who is the significant architect in Islamic architecture (They built the Mosque of Selim II)
Sinan
(hint: has to do with the Alhambra's culture/time period)
(during the medieval period of Islamic art)
What is the purpose of Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings?
Show the people that his faith is what guides and controls him, more than the leadership (kings/people in the court) that's next to him
(also that he is above everyone else- is in control of time, seizer of the world, time, sun and moon, etc)