Islamic art at the V & A
Museums have finally begun to open up to the public , so Sleuth ’ s Kafi Zafar took a trip to London ’ s Victoria and Albert Museum to experience some art up close and personal . One room that made a big impression : the V & A ’ s Islamic Middle East room . If you aren ’ t lucky enough to see it in person , Kafi has the run-down on what makes this room so special .
Image : Kafi Zafar
It showcases a timeline of artwork from the early Islamic period in the 7th century , all the way up to the 20th century . It features calligraphy , textiles , ceramics , and scriptures . Here ’ s a brief walkthrough of how this art style emerged and developed over time , as well as how Islamic art has also influenced Western culture .
What is Islamic art ?
Muslims don ’ t require objects like statues or shrines in order to worship God , so it may be difficult to understand how art itself can be ‘ Islamic ’. The term is usually used to describe an entire sophisticated , secular culture which existed beyond solely the religion of Islam . Unlike Christian , Jewish , or Buddhist art , Islamic art describes work produced in Muslim-ruled or dominant lands , rather than only religious art .
Islamic art was often expressed through architecture , books , and furnishings which may incidentally be used during worship and other religious activities . For example , the structures both inside and outside of a mosque , calligraphy and adornments within pages of the Quran , and prayer mats featuring geometric or floral designs .
The medium has spanned across 1,400 years and entire geographical empire , so it ’ s difficult to pinpoint its origins down to a specific style , material , or definition . While many Islamic scholars disapprove of the depiction of the human form ( especially in places of worship or in holy texts ), you may find Islamic art which incudes portraits as not all art from this time and region was created by Muslim artists .
Therefore , it ’ s important to recognise the difference between religious and secular Islamic art . It ’ s not always clear cut as to which kind a specific piece may be , as sometimes secular artists would depict religious scenes and themes featuring the human figure in their artworks , but these would be reserved for display in non-religious settings such as on the walls of a palace , or inside poetry books .
Islamic art as a whole takes influence from a vast array of other styles and cultures . These inspirations , in part , include Greek , Roman , Byzantine and early Christian art . Central Asian and Chinese art had a particular influence on textiles , pottery , and painting .
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Marble chimneypiece , 1731 , Unknown artist , Islanbul ( Turkey )