Islamic Art

Islamic Art

Islamic Art is a term that encompasses the visual arts produced from the 7th century onwards by people who lived within the territory that was inhabited by, or ruled by, culturally Islamic populations. It is not art of a specific religion, time, place, or of a single medium. Instead, the term refers to art made by artists or artisans whose religion was Islam, for patrons who lived in predominantly Muslim lands, or for purposes that are culturally Islamic. Islamic art includes architecture, calligraphy, decorative arts, manuscript illumination, textiles, ceramics, metalwork, glass, painting, and more. The art often incorporates secular elements and elements that are frowned upon, if not forbidden, by some Islamic theologians. Islamic art developed from many sources: Roman, Early Christian, and Byzantine styles; Sassanian art of pre-Islamic Persia; Central Asian styles brought by various nomadic incursions; and Chinese influences appear on Islamic painting, pottery, and textiles. Islamic art is not restricted to religious art, but includes all the art of the rich and varied cultures of Islamic societies. It frequently includes secular elements and elements that are forbidden by some Islamic theologians. Islamic religious art differs greatly from Christian religious art traditions. Because figural representations are generally considered to be forbidden in Islam, the word takes on religious meaning in art as seen in the tradition of calligraphic inscriptions. Calligraphy and the decoration of manuscript Qu'rans is an important aspect of Islamic art as the word takes on religious and artistic significance.

islamic calligraphy, arabesque, geometric patterns, aniconism, manuscript illumination, miniature painting, textile arts

— John Armstrong

CITATION : "John Armstrong. 'Islamic Art.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/islamic-art?E=433817 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"