Islamic+Art

**Islamic Art and Architecture **


Throughout the middle ages, Islamic Art and Architecture was very important to the Islamic culture. Muslims used highly unique styles of art and architecture and many periods used these types of designs in their own ways.

The formative period was one of the earlier periods of Islamic art and architecture, taking place in the 600 A.D. to the 900 A.D. This period influenced the art and architecture of Byzantine Empire and Persia. A mosque (a place for worship) was a very important structure to the middle ages. The architecture deigns were very precise. Muslims used many colors and shapes in their artistic designs. They were very interested in unique shapes and patterns. They made architecture designs with geometric shapes due to their religion. Islamic religion does not allow Muslims artists to put human figures in their work, but they did put floral patterns and vegetable patterns. They made glass structures, pottery, mosaics, metal structures, and even enjoyed making art work on their carpets.

The Umayyad people took power in the mid 600's which was also during the formative period. Most of the periods clash together at the same time, but just different people did different things with the Islamic styles of their art and architecture. Amra was an important part of the Umayyad period. Amra is a big wall used o Islamic architecture all over. it has shades of different colors and different shapes. Then these cultures passed to the Abbasids. This Abbasid period took place later around 750 A.D. Every period used paints, glass, and building materials. The Islamic styles of art and architecture kept spreading across the Muslims and you can even see sights today with these wonderful Islamic designs.

Works Cited
 * “Islamic Art and Architecture.” The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students. Vol. 3. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1996. 23-29. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 12 Mar. 2010.
 * “Islamic Culture.” Medieval World. Ed. Sally MacEachern. Vol. 5. Danbury, CT: Grolier Education, 2001. 40-43. Print.
 * Pournick. “File: Amir Nezam House 02.” Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Oct. 2009. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. [].

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