Early Islamic Art and Architecture (ca. 632-1250) – Fall 2015

Prof. Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis

Tuesdays 6:30-8:30

Course Description:

Since the emergence of Islam in seventh-century Arabia, the world of Islam, which spans continents and centuries, has produced art and architecture that is as remarkable as it is diverse. How to define Islamic art, however, is more complex. Unlike Christian, Jewish or Buddhist art, the art produced in the lands where Islam was a dominant religious, political or cultural force is commonly referred to as “Islamic Art”. This course aims to introduce students to the Islamic art and architecture by framing the emergence of Islamic visual and material culture in Late Antiquity to better understand the monuments, art and architecture produced during first centuries of Islam. The course also introduces the major theoretical and methodological issues involved in the study of Islamic art and architecture, while also focusing on the development of critical visual skills. This course will present an overview of a specific period, dynasty, or region in Islamic art and then focus on an extended discussion of a monument or object in each class. Visits to the MET and other museums may also be planned.