Islamic Art in Europe Essay

Moslem stratagem and computer computer computer architecture is mankindly renowned. It was true during the era when the West was surrounded in Dark. It was the prison term when the West was fixing to live in a alliance charm the Muslim world was enjoying their glorious time. They had mastered the speech of social survival of the fittest and aesthetic beauty. They had excellence in the study of science and crafts peculiarly chemistry, physics, mathematics, and astronomy, picture show, sculpturing woodland carving and calligraphic imposture, the dominant property of Muslim imposture. The sea route of Mediterranean Sea spread the Moslem art and friendship in the world of West.The elites would visit the land of Moslems so as to deliver the goods knowledge from Muslim and Jewish scholars and brought with them the memories of Islamic art. Later, this art was exported to the West and was the constrict of status. This art brought the glory of Muslim into another wor ld and created patrons of Muslim art. When the Muslim glory was declining, the art did not lose its signifi stinkpotce in the world and many Muslim artisans and Jewish craftsmen were employed by the Christians to build prodigal and passing admired buildings.(Derhak, 1) The grow of atomic number 63an culture can be traced back to the time of Renaissance that brought a glorious time to the field of arts, science commerce and architecture. barely long in the lead this Spain was well genuine in the manistic and aesthetic beauty ingrained in the decree which was at that time under the rule of Muslims. At the time when Europe a feudal society and all the powers were held by the church building, the Spain was booming and booming with half a million of population living in 113,000 ho wasting diseases and 700 mosques.The ho holds were aright make catering the needs of the people as they provided marble balconies to dish people in summer and hot-air ducts built under mosaic tiles to save people from cold and winter. There were gardens with artificial fountains and orchards in every house. The streets were surface and properly constructed. There were seventy libraries in Cordova, capital of Muslim imperium while Europe was unknown to the material, paper. (Derhak, 1)Students from around the world came here to learn philosophy, science and medicine. The society was tolerant to other faiths and religions which prospered the growth of art and architecture. But afterwards some years, the period of intellectual and economic success began to slide down and invigorated Arabic dynasty was formed. Conservative in its nature, the new dynasty could not shape the glory to the Cordova society. At that time the Western society was increment and the Europeans were forming a lobby to drive the Muslims out of Spain.They set a system of translating the scat of Muslims which had the philosophies of Greeks and Romans. They translated astrology, astronomy, pharmacology, p sychology, physiology, zoology, botany, mineralogy, optics, chemistry, mathematics, physics, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, music, meteorology, geography, mechanics, hydrostatic navigation and history. Europeans learned a lot done the text of Moors. Along these texts, the Arabic music was spread teaching the use of flute, keyboard and harmony. (Derhak, 1)The values and ideas taught by Islamic culture were called the secular humanism as it drove the people away from the powerful grip of Roman Catholic Church and these studies were having the progress of human nature as the message of interest. The heighten of humanism was seen in the creates created by Renaissance artists. In the nitty-gritty Ages, saints were the centre of drawings and they were portrayed as the humankind larger than ordinary life. The landscapes in those painting were heaven just the renaissance art transformed and saints were show of the coat of common man and earth became the landscape of the paintings .Now the saints occupied interchangeable to the common man. The renaissance art gave new tools to the artist to portray 3-dimensional picture giving a new effect of illusions in paintings. The anatomy of the paintings was becoming more the frame of the window and the painting was the view of the deposit seen beyond the window. (AAMThe Renaissance tie-up Lesson Plans Humanism in the Renaissance, 1) It gave the artists the idea of utilise oil paints and egg tempera in their paintings. These paints gave depth and roughness to the painting which gave a life to the paintings.The glass and ceramics which became the personal identity of European courts for three deoxycytidine monophosphate years was brought by Muslims in Spain. The skilled technique utilize to let glassware more ornamental was practiced by Muslim glassmakers in 800 AD. These techniques include gliding, enameling and tin-glaze and luster on glass. Italy was at the heart of sea routes in late Middle Ages and was s urrounded by Muslim empires of Turkey, Palestine, North Africa and Spain. This connectedness helped in mixing the cultures of East and West.Sea routes brought exposure to various forms of art and techniques. It introduced glassblowing in west practiced by east and learnt from Syrians of Roman Empire. This likewise diffused textiles, metal work, carpets and ivories, popularizing the motifs and dahs of Islamic world in the West. (AAMThe Renaissance Connection Lesson Plans Humanism in the Renaissance, 1) The international prodigality trade from 14th-17th nose candy brought in a great impact on Italian art and architecture as it was heavily shaped by the dots imported to European market from the Islamic east.The Italians adapted and imitated the imported Oriental art. The Italians have lilliputian knowledge of the geographic distinction of the foreign items that they admired. The paintings that revolutionized the Italian culture gave rise to the trade and traveling across the M editerranean Sea. Ceramics that were regarded as mediocre in Islamic society were admired by the Italian society and had great impact on the pottery of Italy. (The Islamic Influence On The Italian Renaissance Is Explored In Exhibition examine The Roots Of lavishness Glass And Ceramics, 1)The Cathedral built near Pisa at the end of 20th century has Islamic earthenware wheel called bacini are basically painted with the traditional Islamic animals, plants and geometric motifs. These bacini were too used as kitchenware demonstrating the diffusion of Islamic utensils in late middle Ages. It is thought that these utensils were brought in by Crusaders or donated by the travelers to local institutions or building projects. Bacini caused improvement in Italian pottery. The largest surviving Islamic bronze sculpture was brought in during the conquest of the Muslim Empires on Mediterranean shores.The social lion of Venice, another bronze rendition came from the eastern shores of Mediterra nean Sea and was position at the entrance of the Piazza San Marco in Venice. (The Islamic Influence On The Italian Renaissance Is Explored In Exhibition Tracing The Roots Of Luxury Glass And Ceramics, 1) The Abbasids Caliph in Baghdad true a bounteous urban culture giving high value to pleasure and sumptuosity in every days life. They developed silk weaving, ceramics, metalwork and wood carving in daily utensils turning them into the work of art. The tapestries, cushions and rugs were weave in silk.Clothing became rich and elegant and the daily utensils were given visual and unreserved qualities adding the fun to use them. These items were heavily imported even among the Muslim Empire from Spain to China. Later they were exported to the European society when the wealth started flowing in their life. The items of decorations were in like manner heavily imported which had no offending material to the Christian society as idolatry is not permissible in Islam. Most of the Islamic art were abstracts in which the sole or the dominant theme was ghostlike. (Bent, 1)The human figures drawn or sculptured in Islamic world consisted of humans engaged in pleasure of drinking, horse riding and hunting which was besides with correspondence of the feudal society of Europe. The jars known as albarelli was commonly used in Islamic society to preserve spices was aesthetically beautiful and showed style in its use. The ivy and fern leaves painted in horizontal bands in cobalt deplorable and gold metallic luster exceedingly complemented the shape of the jar. The Italian Renaissance and Islamic art both emphasizes in the harmony of visualize, quietus of parts and perfection of the whole body of the item.(Bent, 1) The main difference amongst Renaissance art and Islamic art was that European art was the example of Greco-Roman traditions while Islamic art was ornamental. The depiction of plants was strikingly identical to the nature as they grow and behave. The border s or the frames carry most of the mean of the drawing. The art influenced by the oriental imports focuses on pleasing the senses and enhanced the object. These art pieces lost their religious meat of Islamic culture as the seculars or Christians employed the artists who were passing regarded for their craft.For example the basins which were used for washing hands before meals or prayers in the east Islamic Empire lost its meaning and were used as the containers of wines of Eucharist. Even the garments also lost their pilot identity. The silk garments which had woven Arabic in handions on them praising the Mamluk Sultan worn by the princes fit to their statuses and adherence also lost their original representation and were worn by the clergy of Roman Catholic Church. (Bent, 1)The most important room of Italian courts, the bedchambers were highly decorated with the tapestries, in which Arabic inscription were woven, and expensive carpets, originally traded from the Muslim market or are the original depiction of Muslim art. The silk gowns which were presented to Muslim rulers for their statuses were then presented to European kings as diplomatic gift. The use of silk became so ofttimes prevalent in European society that later the princes were buried after being wrapped in Ornamental silk. Most of the silk was consumed by the Church as it was used as drapes on altars walls and funeral biers.(Bent, 1) The vessels made up of rock candy crystals, glass and ceramics acquired a sacred status as they became the containers of relics. The use of precious metals gems also started prevailing in European society and started defining the statuses of the people. The middle class proudly showed off the pieces acquired from the Italian culture. The use of such materials prominently outlined the difference of statuses among the rich and powerful. The cost, rarity technique and the eastern origins made the goods more appealing to the European society.Sometimes the richest E uropeans had difficulty in collecting luxury item in quantity like the Islamic carpets and Chinese porcelain. (Mack, 1) The Italians try to establish local markets of such items but they failed to produce the quality and the design similar to the original item but some imported item became so popular that exceptional efforts were made to create an imitation of those goods which was kinda similar to the original one. The imitation was so similar that it was difficult to key the original piece from the mimic intricate indicating the sophisticated appreciation of Islamic art.The foreign art highly contributed in the development of the Italian art as these patrons and artisan were always in thrust of exploring and developing new techniques in art to give it a more luxurious touch. (Mack, 2) The script of the movement of Oriental art create verbally by Italians have little value as at that time they had little knowledge well-nigh the geographical origins and foreign artistic styles a nd little has been written by Muslim authors. It is believed that cross-culture has occurred when a native artist migrated to another land and trains the patrons of the other society.another(prenominal) way of cross-cultural development was due to the sketches or memories of patron or the traveler who had highly admired the art and culture and other societies and brought it to his land. (Mack, 3) The premature transference of Muslim culture showed its early traces in Venice when a aver chapel and a shrine was being built for the saint relics. A Byzantine architect and a Greek craftsman worked on its coordinate and earlier designs of mosaic decoration. These Gothic last of Italian art had its roots back to Islamic culture. It has its historical analogies with styles of Pisa and Norman Sicily.This form of art short appeared in the state buildings giving great credit and honor to the Christian as they defeated the Muslim and drove them out of Mediterranean shores. shortly the Chri stian had full control on the goods let by Muslims as war booty and was used for commercial advantage. The Pisans and Normans styles quickly grew but were highly affected by the architecture of Mediterranean but significantly verbalised the shift of powers. The conquest in west Mediterranean shores also created great trade across the sea routes.The variety of color and texture in the cathedrals exterior ornaments bring to mind the great Islamic art of Spain and North Africa. High influence of Islamic art was depicted on the governmental and religious buildings especially in Norman Sicily and Pisa as they hired the Muslims and the Greek inhabiting the shores of Mediterranean. (Mack, 4) The geometric marble traceries screening windows in lunette above the Porta Sant Alippio at the extreme left of the facade is preferably similar to the window grill of Great Mosque in Damascus.The striking similarities surrounded by the Islamic and Christian buildings created confusion among the t ravelers and they started considering the attic of Rock as the synagogue of Solomon and Herod. Another example of such confusions is Al-Aqsa mosque considered as the palace of Solomon. (Mack, 5) The domes were highly regarded in Islamic building especially mosques. The trend on the domes in mosques can be traced back to the early time of Islamic civilization. The most original form is muqarnas dome or semi dome. It is truly Islamic induction and was not influenced by any other culture or civilization.They could be made of wood, stucco, brick or stone and are the most characteristic feature of Muslim world. These were later adopted by the Christian in their religious building especially that of Pisa. (Grabar, 1) The varied Oriental culture in Venice showed the growing trade relations with the eastern Mediterranean. The Gothic architectural style highly expressed the values and culture of the ruling class and also developed a distinctive dialect which had any words of Arabic languag e and this dialect survived in the palaces till sixteen century- showing the high influence of Islamic society in Venice. (Mack, 6)Later in the 14th century the theme of Italian paintings changed and they showed the arrival of luxury items from Islamic society and their use by the Italian people. The paintings, drawings and sculptures portrayed the understanding of cultures of East and West but these understanding were based on the imports of goods, religious and political strategies with each other. (Mack, 7) The captivation for Islamic art was beyond the bounds of Islamic world. The development of blue and white on ceramics in Islamic art was desirable to Chinese as well as Europe. It was highly bought by these societies for nonfunctional purpose. (Bent, 1)The Quranic scripts written on mosques developed calligraphy in Islamic art. This decoration was utilize to various buildings of religion, military polite and private use. it was the main feature and identity of Islamic art. The earliest surviving building of calligraphic art is Dome of Rock in Jerusalem. The inscription on buildings used to show the valuate to God, construction date and patronage scripts on the religious buildings while the civic buildings had date of construction, details of the architects and artisan but most prominently it had propagation inscriptions of the caliph to demonstrate his power and benevolence.Variety of calligraphic art was developed for aesthetic beauty. It was applied on many surfaces like wood, stone, plaster and ceramic tiles. Later it was developed on books, coins and metal wares. This form of art highly attracted the west due to its origin and writing pattern. They were usually used for decorative purpose. The crockery having calligraphic art was highly regarded for their classy use and was in the first place consumed by elites. (Renaissance art and architecture FREE Renaissance art and architecture information Encyclopedia_com Facts, pictures, information1) Works Cited AAMThe Renaissance Connection Lesson Plans Humanism in the Renaissance http//www. renaissanceconnection. org/lesson_social_humanism. html Accessed May 08, 2009 Bent. B, (1991), Islamic Art, 2nd edition, Harvard University Press, England. Derhak. D (2005) Muslim Spain and European Culture http//www. xmission. com/dderhak/index/moors. htm Accessed May 08, 2009 Grabar. O, (1985), Muqarnas An Annual on Islamic Art and Architecture, illustrated edition, BRILL Mack. E.R, (2001) Bazaar to Piazza Islamic Trade and Italian art, 1300-1600, illustrated edition, University of California Press, California. Renaissance art and architecture FREE Renaissance art and architecture information Encyclopedia_com Facts, pictures, information http//www. encyclopedia. com/doc/1E1-Renaisart. html Accessed May 08, 2009 The Islamic Influence On The Italian Renaissance Is Explored In Exhibition Tracing The Roots Of Luxury Glass And Ceramics, March 23, 2004 http//www. getty. edu/news/press/ adjoin/ artof_fireshort. html Accessed May 08, 2009