Art History Essay Example

the sky where stars orbit around the earth.

The four corner pillars contain the four parts of the Koranic formula and give rise to the four rivers of beatitudes - milk, water, wine, and honey (Saoud, 2004). Most mosques have a courtyard with a fountain, where worshippers perform their ablutions before prayers. This area is typically covered by a cupola shaped like a baldaquin. The Koran describes gardens of beatitude, and the courtyard with its fountain in the center and enclosed garden irrigated by four channels originating from its center resemble paradise (jannah).

The Islamic house, like any other, must have an inner court with a fountain or well. This square-shaped architecture symbolizes the Muslim laws allowing a man to marry up to four wives as long as he treats them equally. Just as family life is closed off from the outside world, so too is the Islamic house. It only opens up to the sky, representing the universal spirit. Some of the mosque walls are adorned with glazed earthenware mosaic coverings, often depicting abstract figures of regular geometrical shapes which symbolize a curtain (hijab).

According to Muslim teachings, the prophet stated that God conceals himself behind 70,000 curtains composed of darkness and light. If these curtains were removed, the intense brightness of His presence would destroy everything it touches. The purpose of the curtains is to hide the "obscure" nature of the divine with darkness and divine light. It is important for the Qibla wall, situated inside the prayer hall, to be positioned perpendicular to Mecca, the location of the Ka'bah.

Faithful are expected to kneel in rows parallel to the qibla,

facing Mecca. The mihrab, located at the center of the qibla wall, serves as a niche that indicates the qubla wall. Art and religion go hand in hand as art effectively preserves the essence of most religions through the symbolic value of religious symbols, which convey profound truths. Artists have skillfully incorporated their beliefs into their creative expressions. In Byzantine art, man and nature were considered the ultimate representation of the divine.

The purpose of figurative art in both Christian and Muslim beliefs was not to seek aesthetic appeal, but rather to interpret concepts. In the case of Muslim art, it was influenced by the accumulated knowledge of societies, local environments, and the incorporation of Byzantine inspirations. In Islam, the Qur’an is considered the first masterpiece of art. The interaction and independence of verses in the Qur’an create unique meanings that can evoke happiness, joy, fear, terror, and even anger.

Muslim artists primarily focus on the attributes of the divine creator rather than His creatures. Whether it is in textiles, ceramics, wall decorations, ironwork, or leather, Muslim artistic work revolves around remembering God. This remembrance takes shape in different forms like geometrical patterns, arabesque designs, and calligraphy (Guru, 1995). In Islam, there is a religious prohibition against directly depicting animals or humans due to concerns about idol worship by humans.

Muslim art differs from Christian art by not getting involved in metaphysical discussions about the trinity, Holy spirit, true nature of Christ, and hierarchy of the saints. It sets itself apart from other religious cultures through its unique materials, forms, meanings, and subjects. Unlike Western art which is often realistic, Muslim

art primarily consists of abstract representations. The use of geometric art plays a significant role in Islamic culture as it allows artists to avoid depicting forbidden living beings.

In the mosques, these abstract geometrical forms are especially encouraged as they promote spiritual contemplation instead of diverting attention to living creatures. As geometry became a part of Muslim art, artists gained the freedom to be creative and imaginative. This led to the emergence of a completely new form of art that utilized mathematical shapes like squares, circles, and triangles. The development of geometrical art in Muslim art was also made possible by the popularity and sophistication of geometry science.

The discovery of the Topkapi scrolls, dated 15th century, is a good illustration that disproves the claim that Muslim geometrical art came through an accidental discovery. This discovery also reveals that early Muslim craftsmen formulated the theoretical rules used in aesthetic geometry. The concept of Arabesque is closely linked to Muslim geometrical art, characterized by ornamental work on flat surfaces. It involves interlacing geometrical patterns of circles, polygons, and interconnected curves and lines.

The arabesque is composed of distinct units that are connected from different directions. Each unit is separate and self-contained, but they all contribute to the overall design. Arabesques are mainly used for decoration and often feature two-dimensional patterns that cover surfaces like ceilings, carpets, furniture, walls, and textiles. It is widely acknowledged that mosques played a crucial part in shaping this art form due to their emphasis on geometry. The arabesque relies on an intricate system of orbiculation and articulation, which can be reduced to fundamental polygonal elements.

The design

of this geometric art can be made using curvilinear lines, straight lines, or a combination of both, resulting in a foliated or cusped effect. Although Muslims are often credited with this form of art, its origins are still a topic of debate. The use of arabesque by Muslims serves the purpose of evenly dispersing attention rather than stimulating or intensifying the senses. This centrifugal characteristic often induces a state of self hypnosis, enabling devotees to detach themselves from worldly affairs.

Muslim art is distinctive because it prohibits the depiction of any living beings, including humans. This sets it apart from other religions that include religious imagery. Muslims believe that only God should be worshipped, so forbidden images in Islam are those that directly represent divinity (Saoud, 2004). Conversely, Christians perceive their founder as both wise and divine. Belief in him involves emulating him, striving for unity with him, and seeking redemption through him. Both Christianity and Islam have utilized art to communicate abstract ideas.

Art and religion are closely intertwined, as they share the ability to convey deep ideas and establish a bond between people and a higher power. Artistic creations serve as a means for individuals to express their inner selves and their connection with a divine being. Artists possess a unique talent to enhance the portrayal of humanity through physical objects. This enlightenment transcends time, evident in major religions such as Christianity and Islam. While art can introduce new beliefs, faiths, and artifacts, its purpose always remains within the context of the religion it represents.

Since art is capable of creating an ideal and has a deep connection to religion,

religion itself becomes enigmatic, remaining separate from the physical world while relying on it to express the inner divinity. It is important to acknowledge that both Islam and Christianity have utilized art as a means to unravel the inexplicable, namely the mystery of God. For those who do not hold religious beliefs, one approach to deciphering the concealed concepts of these religions is to direct their thoughts towards contemplation through artworks that depict religious themes.

The limit is evident as art can represent almost everything in an effort to convey understanding to non-believers, while Muslims may have their doubts. Art, which has a history as old as religions themselves, has played a significant role in elucidating the fundamental principles of various faiths. Christians have even embraced pagan art and infused it with deeper significance in order to convert pagans to Christianity.