Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1389576 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .5 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

From Library Journal
Examining the architecture of important Islamic buildings designed for a variety of purposes, this volume presents uniformly excellent photographs, matching the quality of the detail that they capture. The first section looks at the diversity of styles resulting from the syncretism of Islam with the many cultures it conquered. Section 2 discusses the various materials used and the accomplishments of builders and artists. Section 3 discusses the principal decorative themes, and the last section looks at aesthetics and the relationship between form and decoration. At the end of each section there appears a "documentary notebook," mainly containing photographs, that permits a fuller examination of the topic. Presenting the subject from these four viewpoints, rather than chronologically, yields some valuable insights that make this book an important contribution to the study of Islamic art. The volume has a map of the major sites of Islamic ornamentation, a chronology of the principal Islamic dynasties, and an index of the monuments. This truly beautiful book should be in both public and academic libraries. Martin Chasin, Adult Inst., Bridgeport, CT
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Dominique Clevenot is a professor at the University of Toulouse and author of several books on Islamic art.