Islamic art
Online exhibits from the internationally known exhibition and website on Islam, Science and influential inventions. See also “Fun & Learning” menu, with book, posters, activities and more.
About fifty beautiful manuscripts from Herat to Istanbul are featured in The Art of the Qur’an: Treasures from the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts exhibition. Celebrated for their superb calligraphy and lavish illumination, these manuscripts from the 8th to the 17th century—are critical to the history of the arts of the book. They were once the prized possessions of Ottoman sultans and the ruling elite, who donated their Qur’ans to various institutions to express their personal piety and secure political power. Each manuscript tells a unique story, which will be explored in this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. A wonderful set of interactive teaching tools are featured–scroll down to find.
A virtual walking tour of the Nadrid era Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. It features 360 degree views and detailed explanations of the architectural and decorative features, and their significance. (Since Adobe Flash is no longer supported, install alternative Flash emulator Ruffles (http://ruffles.rs) to view the presentation.
A virtual walking tour of the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, the Ottoman era masterpiece by the architect Sinan. It features 360 degree views and detailed explanations of the architectural and decorative features, and their significance. (Since Adobe Flash is no longer working, install Ruffle (https://ruffle.rs/) as an alternative way of viewing the presentation.
A beautifully illustrated guide to a mosque from the Ottoman period by famous architect Sinan. Online version to borrow from OpenLibrary
David MacCaulay’s book Mosque in the architecture series features the work of famous Turkish archictect in Ottoma Istanbul Mosque. View a readaloud version by MrPsWorldHistory at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EjXYMMZg2U. See also for comparison of sacred and secular architecture, by the same author/architect, Cathedral, Castle, City, Pyramid, and others. See also animated films of same names.
An interactive web page illustrating the many cultural contributions to American life from Islamic Spain, also leads to other articles on Muslims’ contributions to modern life, sciences, technologies, and cultural exchanges.
The film explores Islamic art in several thematic segments (Space, Word, Water, Ornament, and Color), featuring objects big and small, from great palaces and mosques to f ceramics, carved boxes, paintings and metal work. It revels in the use of color and finds commonalities in a shared artistic heritage with the West and East. The film also examines the unique ways in which Islamic art turns calligraphy and the written word into masterpieces and develops water into an expressive, useful art form Like all art, it carries the fundamental values and perspectives of the artists who created it as well as those who commissioned and paid for it. A discussion guide for the film can be used as a set of lesson plans Discussion-Guide-Mirror-of-the-Invisible-World-2013.
Links to exhibits and collections on Islam at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Detroit Institute of the Arts Islamic Collection, Victoria & Albert Museum Palace and Mosque exhibit (see also sidebar links on the site), The British Museum Galleries by World Region) A few examples are https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/collection-areas/islamic-art AND http://www.lacma.org/art/collection/islamic-art AND https://dia.org/learning AND http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/i/islamic-art-and-design/
Gallery Guide: Arts of the Islamic World (Smithsonian Freer & Sackler Galleries, now renamed National Museum of Asian Art) are featured by exhibit, and objects in the permanent collections are searchable.
A list of videos with streaming platform for 20 BBC documentary films on Islam, Muslims, Islamic history and cultures, including the excellent 3-Part documentary, “Islam and Science,” by the BBC, with Jim al-Khalili. http://islamicmultimedia.blogspot.com/ Islam and Science and Technology. Many other topics.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History (TOAH), a magnificent and comprehensive resource for all periods and world regions, with extensive access to images, thematic essays such as The Nature of Islamic Art, maps, timelines and search possibilities. Indispensible for integrating art across the curriculum. See also the MET’s Islamic art collection at http://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/curatorial-departments/islamic-art
This is a list of UPF documentary films with streaming, discussion guides, and lesson plans.
Dover Publications is a heritage publisher specializing in facsimile editions of early lithographic books, inexpensive literature, art and craft books, antique mail-order catalogs, and historical design and art books in very inexpensive editions. They are an invaluable resource for the teacher who wants to integrate art into the social studies classroom. The Dover Design Library is only one part of a wonderful art-historical resource for teachers that includes a world-wide collection of cultural designs from architecture, textiles, ceramics, and jewelry. Another way to find their design books is to search http://doverpublications.com using terms like Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Islamic, geometric, and a cross-cultural classic design book from the 19th century, Owen Jones, Grammar of Ornament and Arabic Art in Color by Prisse d’Avennes
A virtual walking tour of the Dome of the Rock and the third most important mosque in Islam, in Jerusalem. It features 360 degree views and detailed explanations of the architectural and decorative features, and their significance. (Since Adobe Flash is no longer supported, an alterative is to download Ruffles Flash emulator at http://ruffles.rs and install it as a browser extension)
Discover Islamic Art Museum With No Frontiers/DiscoverIslamicArt, a collection of art by period, dynasty, region and themes, bringing together works in many museums with their full information. The site also features interactive games exploring artworks and objects. A great way to see how Islamic art is organized and how it changed over time and across Muslim cultures. A project of the EuroMed with European Union funding.
An excellent and beautifully illustrated picture book biography of Islam’s Prophet.