Masterpieces of Islamic art : the decorated page from the 8th to the 17th century

This opulent volume of works from illustrated and illuminated manuscripts culled from important public and private collections offers a thorough introduction to the wonders of Islamic art. A renowned scholar of Islamic art, history and culture, Oleg Grabar introduces in this book a wide range of illuminated manuscript masterpieces from the eighth to the seventeenth century. The heroes of grand epics such as Alexander the Great are found side-by-side with mythical monarchs, sultans, and even monsters. Illuminated manuscripts of the Koran, epic poetry, and scientific works from the Egyptian, Syrian, Persian, Mogul, and Ottoman Empires await discovery. The book opens with an essay which contextualizes the works-the originals of which reside in the Louvre, French National Library, National Library of Cairo, the British Library, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Topkapi Museum, the Freer Gallery of Art and the collections of the Aga Khan and Khalili families. Following is a selection of two hundred full-color illustrations accompanied by the author's insightful commentary. Including examples of some of the world's most beautiful artistic expressions, this collection of carefully chosen works not only illustrates an important period in art history but also serves as a monument to the achievements of Islamic culture. The Evolution Of Book Art And Painting In The Islamic World Is The Product Of Diverse Regions And Periods. Islamic Art Flourished In The Great Cities And Centers Of Learning Of The Ottoman Turks, The Iranian Qajars, And The Later Indian Mughals, Spreading Across A Region That Extended From The Atlantic Ocean To China. In This Volume, Greg Grabar, A World-renowned Specialist On Islamic Art, Introduces A Wide Range Of Illuminated Manuscripts From The 8th To The 17th Century, Placing Them In Their Temporal And Spatial Context As Well As Identifying The Main Centers Of Artistic Creation. Illuminated Manuscripts Of The Koran, Epic Poetry, And Scientific Works Are Accompanied By A Text Explaining The Subject, Describing It Particular Visual Features, And Highlighting Its Artistic Qualities. The Working Methods Of The Artists And Calligraphers Are Reconstructed. ... In The Book's Final Section The Author Turns Towards The Key Moments In History, Society, Faith, Devotion, And Other Aspects Of The Islamic World Which Are Represented In The Images.--jacket. A Thousand Years Of Images -- From The Atlantic Ocean To China -- First Steps -- The Birth Of Book Art -- The First Blossoming: Thirteenth-century Arab Painting In Iraq -- The Mongols And The New Iranian Painting Under The Ilkhanids (1290-1336) -- The Dawn Of Timurid Art -- The Blossoming Of Safavid Art In The Sixteenth Century -- Ottoman Painting -- Mughal Painting -- The Creation Of Images -- Books And Albums -- The Painters -- The Main Subjects -- Invitations To Reverie And Reflections Of Reality -- Opening Pages -- Historical Texts -- Epic Poetry: The Shahnama Or Book Of Kings -- Literary Texts -- The Maqamat Or Sessions Of Al-hariri -- The Bustan Of Muslih Al-din Saadi -- The Mantiq Al Tayr Or Language Of The Birds Of Al-farid Al-din Attar -- The Diwan Of Hafez -- Lyric Poetry -- The Diwan Of Khwaju Kirmani -- The Khamsa Or Quintet Of Nizami -- The Haft Awrang, The Seven Thrones Or The Constellation Of The Great Bear Of Jami -- The Istanbul Albums -- Portraits -- The Falnameh -- The World Of Images -- Prince And Court -- Nomad World And Urban World -- Portraiture And Nature -- Islam And The Visual Expression Of Faith -- Aesthetics And Visual Values. Oleg Grabar ; [translation From The French, Alayne Pullen In Association With First Edition Translations]. Originally Published: Paris : Editions De La Réunion Des Musées Nationaux, 2009. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 222) And Index.