Land grant of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, 1552. In jali divani, with the tughra of the Sultan above.
Week One: Arabic Calligraphy, Supreme Art of the Islamic World
James Allan, Emeritus Professor of Eastern Art, University of Oxford, and former Keeper of Eastern Art at the Ashmolean Museum, leads this three lecture course which aims to introduce Islamic art and architecture to non-specialists. The first two talks will focus on Islamic art and design, and the third on the most important architectural monuments of Islam, mosques.
The destruction wrought by Muslim fundamentalists is only one side of Islam, and Islamic art is outstanding for its serenity, its elegance, and its beauty. In this first session we shall look at Arabic calligraphy, the supreme art of the Islamic world. Don’t worry, you do not have to know Arabic to enjoy it and appreciate its beauty! The talk will explain the basic elements of the Arabic script and illustrate many of the styles of calligraphy which developed in different parts of the Islamic world.
Proceeds from our ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for three weeks afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.