ISLAMIC ART
Year:2006 | Volume:2 | Issue:4|Papers Count:16

The art of book includes the making and decorating of manuscripts. It is an ancient art and always has been affected by religion.The art of book had experienced great changes in Ilkhanid era and this period was marked as a turning point in book decorations and making copies, and also was as a starting point and development of illumination in Persian style.From the ancient times, using the vertical format in books and simple illumination patterns were customary and during the centuries, these styles became more complicated. Some samples of Qurans represent the prominent characteristics of illumination in this era, such as stellar figures, geometrical forms, combined tabulations and small roundels in margins.This era was contemporary with the second period of Gothic in Europe that was its Golden age in 13th and 14th centuries. The Gothic style originated in France and then developed in all Europe or intricate painted titles, lyrical elegance in figures, bright colors and detailed decorations were of its characteristics that were used in Bible decorations.The Biblia Pauperum, the shah-Abbas's Bible, Psalms, and the Epistles of John are the celebrated ones of illuminated works of this era.

Iranian women, whether their tribe, have a significant role in preserving, transferring and expanding the culture of their ancestors to the new generation. Lullaby is one of the most important source for studying in folklore of all nations and Kurdish women who carefully select the poems and melodies in the form of lullabies, discharge their duties in transferring the cultural, religious and musical heritage to their children. This essay will explain briefly about the various types of lullabies which despite of educating and training children transfer the essential contexts and cultural, religious and historical values of the Kurd tribe to their children.

The question of place & space has always been a vital issue both in philosophy and architecture and has formed a significant portion of the literature in these two areas of human thought. Therefore, the viewpoint of philosophers and architects-whether those engaged in the production of architecture or those occupied with theory-considered. Revision and analysis of these points of views can lead to the promotion of theoretical matters. This, in turn, can promote the quality of their products.Philosophical attitude of architects in the essence of space and its meaning (i.e. architectural works) create and innovate a cohensive outlook among architects and practitioners of philosophy- a matter which has not received due diligence so far. On the other hand, in their quest to enter the nature of architecture, philosophers have tried to convey their perceptions of place and space to the architects. The present material is intended to introduce and reconsider the views of certain writers and theorists and to analyze the definitions, Concepts and strategies in this field.

Mosques in Islamic culture, not only represent a place of worship, but also a place for solving and clarifying everyday disagreements. It is also a place where many various ceremonies take place and has always been in the center of attention and respect; therefore, in an artistic and industrial point of view, the fortifications and strength of the mosques, also the glamour and grace create an exceptional and intellectual site. In other words, mosque is a general place where all the arts and masterpieces come together. The decorations of the mosques have always been an important factor, since it was the center of the manifestation of Islamic art. One of the fundaments in Islamic decorations is the usage of religious and philosophical symbolism embedded within geometrical patterns, which influences the spirit of the worshiper and helps to improve the sense of divinity and unity. Additionally, the spiral patterns with repetition of the related motifs create peace and harmony. Inscriptions also have an important role in architecture; they display the beauty and unity of words and patterns. The masters of Calligraphy and inscriptions arrange the words and patterns in a masterly way to emphasize on the words of God and Islamic prayers; furthermore inscriptions can be divided into 3 groups: Quranic, Prayers and Hadith. This essay will study on the Inscriptions and decorative elements in Islamic architecture existing in mosques, and also the procedure of these elements in modern mosques, that are based on modernized architectural techniques. Modem mosques do not fully convey the spiritual and intellectual values and its existence as a divine and holy place is gradually weakened; moreover, its importance is equal to its cultural and political aspects. As a result, modem mosques have been distorted in many ways, including its traditional and architectural manners, such as its dome, minaret and mihrab; also the use of decorative arts has also been altered.

This essay will study the early Islamic metalwork volumes in Tahirids, Saffarids, Samanids, Buyids and Ghaznavid eras.These volumes were gradually mingled with Sasanids and Islamic culture; therefore, it was distinctively featured in the Seljuk era.The tendencies in creating artistic forms and volumes that were particularly found in hand-crafts, and the revival of ancient artistic techniques in an improved and modernized way with new Islamic features was a noticeable factor in Seljuk era. The different kinds of metalwork volumes and their quality, ornaments and their applications are discussed here.

This paper will introduce the manuscripts of Khavaran-Nameh which is a religious-epic manuscript. It describes the bravery and virtues of Imam AU during his life.Khavaran-Nameh was illustrated in Shiraz with the assistance and patronage of the Turkmen, who ruled the west and south parts of Iran. This manuscript emerged out of the rulers concern and attention towards art and culture.The main purpose in this paper is to introduce this manuscript and the cause of its illustration, also proceeding with its typical and conceptual factors. Khavaran-Nameh is a distinguished masterpiece which was illustrated by the Turkmen.So, first we will focus on the cultural, social and artistic backgrounds then the painting status and manuscripts created in this era, followed by a detailed introduction of its meaningful paintings.

During the reign of Safavids, Shi'ism was the official religion in Persia; therefore, Shi'isms were immune and at liberty. In this unrestrained situation, art and culture developed a great deal; furthermore, Islamic art extended in various aspects.Religious miniatures and paintings were mostly based on the Prophet's family, and many manuscripts were illustrated in this period.Hadighat-Al-Shohada a manuscript that was illustrated from the splendor and prosperity of this art was created in the Safavid era. This exceptional manuscript is about the martyrdom of the prophet's family and is written in a Baghdad style.Many different scripts of it can be found in various museums.In this essay, a collection of images of Hadighat-Al-Shohada has been selected and in consistent to the different manners and traits of the paintings, assorted aspects will be discussed.

Islamic calligraphy is the manifestation of God's words and one of the sacred arts. Its principles were completed during several centuries. And now they have distinguished characteristics that influence deeply on believer's hearts. Although it's originated from Arabian Peninsula and some parts of Iraq, it manifests God's words. Furthermore Persian artists innovated beautiful and fine scripts and developed them.Persian artists created Islamic illumination that surrounded the garden of God's words by heavenly plants and flowers.This essay will study Quranic inscriptions during Ist-6th /7th-12th centuries, especially Persian inscriptions that are preserved in the library of Islamic Parliament. Also this essay will consider four inscriptions, focusing mainly on their scripts and illumination.