Islamic Art and Architecture (The World of Art) [Paperback]

Robert Hillenbrand (Author)

Book Description

Series: World of Art | Publication Date: March 1998

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. Supported by a glossary of Islamic terms, a time line, and maps, this book traces the architecture, calligraphy, book illumination, painting, ceramics, textiles, and metalwork of a vastly accomplished and influential civilization.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Hillenbrand, Professor of Islamic Art at Edinburgh University, is an acknowledged world expert on Islamic art and architecture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500203059
• ISBN-13: 978-0500203057
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Indepth Introduction, July 30, 2001

By 

Fozia Zaidi (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Islamic Art and Architecture (The World of Art) (Paperback)

As a beginner to the world of Islamic Art and architecture, I recently completed reading this book and found it a good introduction. It covers the development and major themes in architecture, ceramics, figure painting and calligraphy (textiles to a smaller extent) of Ummayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Saljuq, Atabegs, Mamluks, Islamic Spain and Morrocco, Ilkhanids/Timurids, Safavids and the Ottomans.

Islamic art and architecture of the Indian Subcontinent (eg Dehli Sultanate or Mughal India) is not covered at all in this book.

It has a good sampling of pictures in colour of especially major architectural monuments. I think the strength of this book is especially strong as an introduction to Islamic architecture. Its coverage of the other areas is not bad either.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Divine, October 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Islamic Art and Architecture (The World of Art) (Paperback)

This book has an unbilievable combination of detail, broad coverage of various topics, ability to keep attention concentrated due to a great way the book is written. Illustrations were both artistically beautiful and helpful in understanding the topics covered. I am in love with this book and, after library reading it, I am ordering it today!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No chapter on the Mughals, September 6, 2009

By 

A. Shuja (World) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Islamic Art and Architecture (The World of Art) (Paperback)

This book provides a very good account of Islamic art through the ages. However, one of the 'golden' eras of Islamic art and architecture, the Mughal era, has not been treated sufficiently -- it's only been treated tangentially. The Mughals ruled the Indian Subcontinent and adjacent areas for about 500 years, and combined Persian, Arabic, Indian and other styles in a brilliant system of arts. A chapter on them would pretty much complete the book.