Ceiling of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain (Photo by Simon Cast) In the tourist-stuffed halls of the Louvre, we stroll curiously through the department of Islamic art, the museum's newest yet lesser-known branch. While admiring the ornate vessels, ivory carvings, and rare calligraphy, we fail to find portrayals of prophets. Hoping to resolve our fruitless search, we dig up the roots of Muslim artistry and discover the artwork shares a common goal: expressing the unity of Allah. Creating complex geometric patterns or detailed scriptures, Muslim artists symbolize divinity through the beauty of mathematics. They typically avoid depicting people, let alone prophets, because they believe no one should rival Allah's creative powers. But, why did we come across representations of lovers and royal figures at the Metropolitan Museum? Islamic art also includes work free from religious involvement (allowing the occasional figural illustration); yet we don't expect to unearth a portrait of Muhammad by a Muslim artist anytime soon. Suggested Sites... Metropolitan Museum: Islamic Art - kashans, incense burners, and jewelry from various Islamic dynasties. Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Islamic Art - the progression of Islamic art presented in periods and artwork examples. Detroit Institute of Art: Islamic Art - check out regional relics by Central Asiatic tribesmen, the Malmuks and Seljuks.

Directory categories: Islamic Art, Islamic Beliefs and Practices, Religious Art, The Louvre

Archived under: Arts, Museums, Regional, Religion

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