The Splendor of Islamic Calligraphy  

A revised and expanded version of the 1976 edition, this scholarly study displays several hundred spectacular examples of an art form that is underappreciated in the West. Independent scholars living in Morocco, the authors begin by providing a conceptual & historical background to the meaning & origins of Islamic calligraphy. They then explicate the aesthetics, techniques, styles, & structure of the art. New chapters on the use of calligraphy in architecture and contemporary painting (featuring artists Hoosier Zenderoudi, Rashid Koraishi, and Shakir Hassan) enrich the coverage of the subject.

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Islamic Art in Context : Art Architecture, and the Literary World Robert Irwin delves deep into the cultures of the Islamic world to survey the exquisite arts of painting, architecture, porcelain, enamel, manuscript illumination, metalwork, calligraphy, textiles, and more. Including 217 illustrations, 148 in full color, the book covers the earliest foundations of Islam through the brilliant high point of the 17th century.

Architecture of the Islamic World This book is a thorough introduction that never just stays on the surface of the matter. It answers a lot of questions like "Why it was built like it was built?" In the back part of the book you find plans and short descriptions of the most important buildings, you find a lot of good photographs and even better articles on single subjects like materials or building techniques.

Alhambra In this book the author Michael Jacobs details the history of this spectacular monument-the stories of the ruling families who lived in the palaces, The capturing and recapturing of this region in Spain, and the myths that surround the Alhambra. Evocative photographs by Francisco Fernandez lead readers on a virtual journey through the various palaces, government and military buildings, mosques, baths, courtyards, and beautiful gardens that make up this mythical place.

Architecture of the Contemporary Mosque Architecture of the Contemporary Mosque Edited by Ismaïl Serageldin with James Steele. No other building is so charged with symbolism, so hemmed in by established architectural convention, and so likely to be scrutinised by friends and critics alike. From this appraisal of the complex and challenging subject of the architecture of the contemporary mosque, Ismaïl Serageldin, James Steele and many specialist contributors, proceed to offer a valuable insight into the development of this building type over the last three decades. In his introductory essays Ismaïl Serageldin provides an historical background and explanation of the development of the mosque, its constructive form, constituent parts, and place in the Muslim city.

The Art and Architecture of Islam: 650-1250 All manner of art is explored in a new edition of Islamic Art and Architecture 650-1250, which surveys works from Spain, Northern Africa and the Middle East. With new illustrations and an expanded text by the late New York University Institute of Fine Arts professor Richard Ettinghausen, Princeton University Institute for Advanced Studies history professor Oleg Grabar and Metropolitan Museum of Art Islamic art curator Marilyn Jenkins-Madina, the book traces the growth of art centers in Muslim lands and examines buildings, textiles, books, ceramics and other forms.

Islamic Art and Architecture (The World Of Art) Covering one thousand years of history and an area stretching from the Atlantic to the borders of India and China, Robert Hillenbrand incorporates all the latest discoveries and interpretations in this authoritative guide to the arts of Islam. From the supreme confidence of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem to the scores of exquisite buildings of Ottoman Istanbul; from the extraordinary virtuosity of Persian painting in the fifteenth century to the vivid ceramic tradition of Ottoman Iznik--Hillenbrand does justice to both the highlights and the ongoing evolution of the full range of Islamic arts.

Arabic Geometrical Pattern & Design   The classic study of the cosmological principles found in the patterns of Islamic art and how they relate to sacred geometry and the perennial philosophy. The author Keith Critchlow is Director of Research and Director of Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts at the Prince of Wales Institute of Architecture. Keith explains how these patterns guide the mind from the mundane world of appearances to its underlying reality and provides 150 color and black-and-white drawings of Islamic patterns.

For centuries the nature and meaning of Islamic art has been wrongly regarded in the West as mere decoration. In truth, because the portrayal of human and animal forms has always been discouraged on Islamic religious principles that forbid idolatry, the abstract art of Islam represents the sophisticated development of a nonnaturalistic tradition. Through this tradition, Islamic art has maintained its chief aim: the affirmation of unity as expressed in diversity.
 
In this fascinating study the author explores the idea that unlike medieval Christian art, in which the polarization of such forms and patterns was relegated to a background against which to set sacred images, the geometrical patterns of Islamic art can reveal the intrinsic cosmological laws affecting all creation. Their primary function is to guide the mind from the mundane world of appearances toward its underlying reality.

Numerous drawings connect the art of Islam to the Pythagorean science of mathematics, and through these images we can see how an Earth-centered view of the cosmos provides renewed significance to those number patterns produced by the orbits of the planets. The author shows the essential philosophical and practical basis of every art creation--whether a tile, carpet, or wall--and how this use of mathematical tessellations affirms the essential unity of all things. An invaluable study for all those interested in sacred art, Islamic Patterns is also a rich source of inspiration for artists and designers.

Arabic Script : Styles, Variants, and Calligraphic Adaptations The author of previous books on Islamic history and a calligrapher and engraver himself, Khan begins this study of Arabic script by sketching the development of the Arabic alphabet and the various scripts in which it has been written. The first half of the book is then devoted to the treatment of individual letters whose shapes vary depending on the letter's position within a word. As many as 33 different styles, or scripts, are illustrated for each letter. The letter's pronunciation is given in cursory fashion, and its vocal value in reciting the Koran is defined in rather technical terms (some of which are explained in the glossary).
 

Arabic Calligraphy : Nasikh style for beginners Naskh is among the most popular of the six major Arabic scripts, used in Quran than all other scripts combined. Its origins can be traced back to the late-8th century AD and it is still in use today. The easy to follow, self-study workbook Arabic Calligraphy makes it possible for you to learn and enjoy the beauty of this noble art. The first stroke by stroke guide for learning Arabic calligraphy, it progresses from the initial, medial, and final forms of Arabic letters to joined letters and on to complete words. Guidelines also help you determine which pens, ink, and writing angle to use for best results.
 

Calligraphy and Illumination: A History and Practical Guide Professionals & beginners alike will welcome this latest offering from calligrapher & medieval book arts expert Lovett, chair of the Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society of England. She provides step-by-step, stroke-by-directional stroke instructions on everything from lettering techniques to a range of projects from basic page layouts to advanced design. Lovett explores the history of illuminated manuscripts as a fine art and as a design influence for today's artists, & includes chapters by renowned contributors such as; Herman Zapf, Michelle Brown & Rosemary Sassoon.

Arabic Calligraphy Cards [ILLUSTRATED] (Cards)
The Quranic Art of Calligraphy and Illumination
Reflections on the state of the art
The splendour of Islamic calligraphy
Loving Letters: An International Islamic Alphabet
From Concept to Context: Approaches to Asian and Islamic Calligraphy
Golden Pages: Quran & Manuscripts from the Collection of Ghassan I. Shaker
Calligraphy in the Arts of the Muslim World
Calligraphy and Islamic Culture
Letters in Gold: Ottoman Calligraphy from the Sakp Sabanc Collection, Istanbul
A Jeweler's Eye: Islamic Art of the Book from the Vever Collection
A Jeweler's Eye: Islamic Arts of the Book
Islamic Calligraphy - The Tareq Rajab Museum
Pages of Perfection: Islamic Calligraphy and Miniatures from the Oriental Institute
of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The Decorated Word: Qurans of the 17th to 19th Centuries (The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, VOL IV Part 1)
The story of Islamic calligraphy
Monumental Islamic Calligraphy from India
 

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Gardens, Landscape, and Vision in the Palaces of Islamic Spain The Gardens, Landscape, and Vision in the Palaces of Islamic Spain offers a new interpretation of the history of gardens in Spain during the period of Islamic rule from the eighth through the fifteenth centuries. Islamic gardens, with their cultivated garden beds and water channels, are traditionally regarded as an early reflection of paradise, which the Koran describes as a "garden watered by four streams." However, D. Fairchild Ruggles argues that the early palace garden was primarily an environmental, economic & political construct, & that paradisiacal symbolism did not develop until gardens acquired tombs. Buy Now

Glass From Islamic Lands: The al-Sabah Collection - Written By : Stefano Carboni : Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah - U.S. publications - glass from Islamic countries, Part of the al-Sabah Islamic art collection at the Kuwait National Museum, the hundreds of pieces in Glass from Islamic Lands date from the sixth to the 19th century, originated primarily in the Middle East and Asia and had been exported all over the world before the al-Sabah family assembled them. Stefano Carboni, associate curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, has arranged the work chronologically, with 345 color and b&w photographs of lovely glasswork. This catalogue is one of the few U.S. publications devoted to glass from Islamic countries. Buy Now

Arabic Calligraphy : Nasikh style for beginners Naskh is among the most popular of the six major Arabic scripts, used in Quran than all other scripts combined. Its origins can be traced back to the late-8th century AD and it is still in use today. The easy to follow, self-study workbook Arabic Calligraphy makes it possible for you to learn and enjoy the beauty of this noble art. The first stroke by stroke guide for learning Arabic calligraphy, it progresses from the initial, medial, and final forms of Arabic letters to joined letters and on to complete words. Guidelines also help you determine which pens, ink, and writing angle to use for best results. Buy Now