أعمال فنية إسلامية من التراث | Islamic Artworks: History and Heritage.

Authentic Arab-Islamic Art and Its Significance

The Essence of Arab-Islamic Art

• Authentic Arab-Islamic art captivates audiences, fostering greater acceptance through its creativity rooted in faith, intellect, culture, and a passion for perfection in calligraphy.

Art as a Reflection of Culture

• Art transcends being a mere hobby; it serves as a vital message that preserves customs and traditions while conveying perspectives to the world.

Characteristics of Islamic Art Forms

• Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, and miniatures reflect societal values. Dignity is essential in art, which must mirror the deep roots of Arab-Islamic culture and religion.

Innovations in Calligraphy

Evolving Techniques

• Artists are using materials like steel to create stunning calligraphic sculptures, helping future generations understand the evolution of this art form.

Introduction to Dr. Ibrahim Shabouh

Speaker Background

• Engineer Maryam Ali Albalooshi introduces herself as an Arabic and Islamic calligraphy artist and Chief Negotiator for Climate Change in aviation. She moderates the majlis discussing insights from Islamic civilization.

Legacy of Dr. Ibrahim Shabouh

• Dr. Ibrahim Shabouh is recognized for his significant contributions to Arab and Islamic history since the 1960s, particularly reintroducing Ibn Khaldun's works.

Overview of Today's Lecture

Focus on Islamic Artworks

• The lecture titled "Islamic Artworks: History and Heritage" will provide an overview of Islamic art's impact on cultural and religious aspects while highlighting its diversity.

Dr. Ibrahim Shabouh's Opening Remarks

Acknowledgment of Audience

• Dr. Shabouh expresses gratitude towards His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan and guests while sharing his feelings about returning after COVID-19 isolation.

Personal Reflections on Tunisia

Memories with Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan

• He recalls attending an Archaeology Conference in 1974 in Al Ain city, leading to lasting relationships with colleagues during Sheikh Zayed’s visit to Tunisia.

Significance of Kairouan's Great Mosque

Architectural Importance

• Dr. Shabouh shares his experience accompanying Sheikh Zayed during a visit to Kairouan’s Great Mosque, emphasizing its architectural significance amidst restoration challenges faced by other mosques like Ibn Tulun.

Challenges in Restoration Practices

Preservation Efforts

• He discusses how superficial restoration efforts at various sites have led to loss rather than preservation of original elements such as furnishings or artistic details influenced by historical styles like Samarra’s bevelled carving.

Cultural Influences on Architecture

Artistic Traditions

• The discussion highlights how Byzantine artistic traditions were adapted within Islamic architecture while noting that some influences did not reach regions like Morocco despite their prominence elsewhere.

Structural Integrity Observations

Insights into Mosque Construction

• During his tour with Sheikh Zayed at the mosque, he explains structural stability concerns related to pillars' design—emphasizing their critical role in supporting arches within traditional mosque architecture.

Understanding the Structural Integrity of the Great Mosque of Kairouan

The Importance of Structural Design

• The mosque lacks a massive, solid wall with an external buttress to resist thrust, which is crucial for stability. Without this support, the structure risks collapse if the protective exterior fails.

Foundation and Stability

• The mosque's blueprint includes a counterpart beneath the surface; stable ground is essential. Foundations were constructed using "tabouk" bricks, anchoring columns where walls meet to ensure structural integrity.

Historical Resilience

• The Great Mosque has remained largely unchanged since its construction in the third Hijri century, including its interior furnishings like the mihrab and pulpit. Its location far from earthquake zones contributes to its stability.

Artistic Inspirations in Islamic Architecture

Vision Behind Construction

• The speaker expresses admiration for His Highness's aspirations regarding a timeless edifice inspired by the Dome of the Rock, emphasizing artistic methods that require further explanation.

Defining Art in Context

• A discussion on ancient elements of Islamic art begins with clarifying what 'art' means in Arabic lexicons. It suggests that art represents toil and effort rather than merely aesthetic concepts.

Historical Perspectives on Islamic Art

Insights from Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi

• Al-Tawhidi’s definition highlights that true artistry combines unique personal attributes rarely found together—knowledge, upbringing, and passion for writing are key components.

Early Examples of Islamic Art

• The original blueprint of Prophet Muhammad's Mosque in Medina serves as a foundational example of Islamic architecture designed for prayer functions and community gathering.

Evolution of Mosques Through History

Influence on Umayyad Architecture

• Initial architectural methods influenced later Umayyad mosques built in Kufa, Basra, Jerusalem, and Damascus. These structures reflect adaptations from earlier temples into grand mosques.

Architectural Features of Umayyad Mosque

• The Umayyad Mosque was notable for its expansive dimensions (157m wide by 95m deep), covered with intricate mosaics similar to those found at the Dome of the Rock.

Mosaics: Techniques and Significance

Craftsmanship in Mosaics

• Mosaics consisted of glass cubes ranging from one centimeter to eight millimeters; some were gilded. This craftsmanship reflects ancient skills used sparingly throughout history.

Preservation Amidst Destruction

• Many mosaics have been lost due to earthquakes and fires; however, one panel remains intact near Al-Hamidiyah Souq—a testament to resilience against time and natural disasters.

Mosaic Art and Its Cultural Significance

Discovery and Analysis of the Mosaic

• The mosaic was discovered in 1936, with studies commencing shortly thereafter. Notably, Marguerite van Berchem conducted significant analysis on it.

• Van Berchem concluded that the mosaic was locally made rather than crafted by imported artisans from Byzantium, highlighting its unique craftsmanship.

Themes Depicted in the Mosaic

• The themes of the mosaic include nature, various fruit trees, flowing rivers, palaces, and rooms—elements that reflect the Levant's natural beauty as noted by van Berchem.

• The artist aimed to capture a grand theme through these depictions, emphasizing their cultural significance beyond mere aesthetics.

Historical Context and Personal Experience

• The speaker shares personal experiences as an antiquities expert in Damascus during 1962 while preparing for a master's thesis focused on mosaics. This period allowed for preliminary studies into local art forms.

• Churches in Antioch featured biblical themes in their mosaics, contrasting with those found in Damascus which depicted paradise—a concept deeply rooted in Islamic culture.

Architectural Features and Symbolism

• The Umayyad Mosque's marble cladding originally featured intricate designs that have since been altered; however, they were inspired by images significant to Muslims representing paradise.

• Paradise is described vividly in the Quran as layered chambers with gardens and rivers—an artistic representation reflected within the mosque’s architecture.

Historical Textual References

• Historical texts like Ibn Asakir's writings provide insight into Damascus's history but were largely lost due to Abbasid actions against Umayyad legacies. A brief mention highlights Damascenes' longing for paradise linked to their mosque's beauty.

• Al-Jahiz referenced this longing for paradise among Damascenes early in the Abbasid era, reinforcing the cultural connection between art and spirituality within Islamic tradition.

Artistic Techniques and Innovations

• The Dome of the Rock features fragmented themes across its mosaics; artists employed innovative techniques such as depicting rushing water realistically despite perspective inconsistencies within their compositions.

• Decorative elements resembling Chinese ceilings indicate cross-cultural influences present during this period of artistic creation within Islamic architecture. Additionally, prayer niches (mihrab) were not common until later developments under Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz around Medina mosques.

The Architectural Significance of the Dome of the Rock

Innovation in Mosque Design

• The concept of a prayer niche, or mihrab, was introduced later as an innovative solution for mosque functionality.

• The Dome of the Rock commemorates the rock from which Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven; its octagonal structure measures approximately 50 meters in diameter.

Architectural Features

• The design incorporates ancient architectural influences while introducing novel proportions and modifications specific to the Dome of the Rock.

• Mosaics within the dome primarily depict trees, fruits, and flowers; however, there is a notable historical date linked to Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan that has been obscured.

Historical Context and Disputes

• A significant alteration in history is noted with the replacement of Abd al-Malik's name with al-Ma'mun's, reflecting ongoing disputes between states during that period.

• The Umayyad state established several key religious institutions including major mosques that served as ideological foundations for governance.

Umayyad Palaces: Architecture and Heritage

Overview of Umayyad Palaces

• The Umayyads constructed numerous palaces (qasrs), primarily located in desert regions such as Syria and Jordan.

• Notable examples include Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi and Qasr al-Tuba, showcasing early interest in fortified structures.

Artistic Elements

• Qasr Al-Mushatta features intricate decorations including grape clusters and animal motifs; it was preserved during World War I but remains a painful reminder of lost heritage.

Khirbat al-Mafjar: A Unique Palace Discovery

Artistic Discoveries at Khirbat al-Mafjar

• Khirbat al-Mafjar contains unique human sculptures and artistic representations not commonly found elsewhere, including depictions of animals like gazelles and lions.

Preservation Through Collapse

• The palace likely collapsed due to seismic activity but remained buried, preserving many artifacts intact for future discovery.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan: Historical Significance

Pulpit Details

• The pulpit from which Imam Sahnun ibn Said preached is considered the oldest existing pulpit in Islamic history, crafted around 240 Hijri.

• This pulpit serves both functional purposes—elevation for visibility—and historical significance tied to prominent figures like al-Muizz ibn Badis.

Artistry and Preservation of Quranic Manuscripts

The Unique Features of Kufic Script

• The Kufic script, as seen in the work of Ibn Badis, showcases artistic mastery with letters like 'seen' effectively filling space.

• The letter 'waw' is noted for its ascension and looping design, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of perspective and spatial arrangement.

• This particular piece stands out as an unparalleled example within Kufic script, measuring approximately 20 centimeters in height.

Historical Significance of the Great Mosque in Kairouan

• The Great Mosque in Kairouan houses an extraordinary collection of Quran parchments dating from the late second century to the fifth century.

• Following damage in 1909, it was discovered that around 40,000 pages remained intact, some adorned with gilded text.

Early Arabic Scripts and Their Evolution

• The Hijazi script is identified as one of the earliest forms of Arabic writing, characterized by its relaxed form and rightward slant.

• Grand mosques typically contain a large Mushaf from Caliph Uthman which serves as a reference for correcting other manuscripts; damaged or stolen pages are withdrawn from circulation.

Importance of Uthman's Mushaf

• Only five or six copies of Uthman's Mushaf were distributed to various locations including Kufa and Basra; many claims about additional copies are deemed incorrect.

• Manuscripts claiming to be Uthman's but dating back to the third Hijri century cannot be authentic originals.

Craftsmanship Behind Quranic Manuscripts

• Parchment-making involves creating durable sheets from thin leather; conditions in Medina have preserved these Qurans well due to low moisture exposure.

• Early Arabic scripts lacked differentiation between similar letters until dotting was introduced by Abu al-Aswad al-Du'ali to prevent mistakes.

Calligraphy Techniques and Artistic Expression

• Calligraphers wrote letters in gold before outlining them with dark brown lines—a meticulous process requiring significant skill and patience.

• A single verse can span two pages in a manuscript, showcasing exceptional artistry driven by faith.

Characteristics of Blue Parchment Manuscripts

• Blue parchment requires extensive effort for dyeing and polishing before being inscribed with gold lettering; one notable Mushaf contains 4,500 pages.

Notable Inscriptions on Manuscripts

• An inscription details that this specific Mushaf was crafted by Ali bin Ahmad al-Warraq for a noble patroness, highlighting its historical significance.

Aesthetic Qualities of Reyhani Script

• The Reyhani script features broad pen strokes that vary in thickness based on their position relative to the line—demonstrating harmony within the text's layout.

Artistic Works in Islamic Culture

Overview of the Lecture

• The lecture discusses a specific Mushaf that features writing akin to Kufic script, notable for its complete diacritization including shadda, fatha, kasra, damma, sukun, and elongation.

• The speaker expresses gratitude towards Dr. Ibrahim Shabouh for delivering an enriching lecture on various Islamic artistic works.

• Acknowledgment is made regarding any shortcomings in the speaker's presentation style.

• The significance of the Mushaf's design elements is highlighted as a reflection of Islamic art and culture.

• The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding these artistic expressions within their historical context.