A Story of Islamic Art

This book offers a unique exploration of Islamic art through fifty fictional narratives, providing insights into its rich history and cultural significance.

This book serves as an engaging introduction to the artistic and architectural traditions of the Islamic world, exploring a diverse range of case studies. A Story of Islamic Art delves into fifty unique narratives drawn from different regions and spanning from the seventh to the twenty-first centuries. Each case study is presented as a fictional narrative, allowing readers to envision the art and architecture within their original cultural contexts or at various points in their histories.

The innovative approach of A Story of Islamic Art combines storytelling with scholarly insights, providing a rich backdrop for readers to further explore the historical significance of the featured artefacts. The fifty short stories focus on a variety of objects, including portable items, book illustrations, calligraphy, and architectural sites. This multifaceted examination of Islamic art encompasses not only the aesthetic aspects but also the socio-cultural contexts that influenced their creation and use.

In addition to the narratives, the book includes a detailed introduction, maps, a timeline, and a glossary. It addresses key questions in Islamic art scholarship, covering themes such as iconography, representation, and the interactions between the Islamic world and other cultures. A Story of Islamic Art is an informative and accessible resource for anyone interested in the rich history and artistry of the Islamic tradition.