Studies in Islamic Painting, Epigraphy and Decorative Arts

Presents key developments in medieval Islamic painting, decorative arts and epigraphy This volume, lavishly illustrated with many images previously unpublished in colour, features articles by Bernard O'Kane on a wide range of topics in medieval Islamic art. Controversial subjects such as the Siyah Qalam album paintings are examined in detail, as well as major masterpieces of illustrated manuscripts, both Arab and Persian. Egyptian and Iranian examples of decorative arts, including woodwork, textiles, ceramics and metalwork are analysed, from large-scale minbars to ivory boxes. And epigraphic developments in Persian and Arabic, from the 10th to the 15th centuries in Egypt and Iran, are explored. Key Features  Discusses masterpieces of Arab and Persian painting, in both albums and illustrated manuscripts  Explores the rise of Persian poetry on works of art and architecture in Iran and Turkey  Showcases the finest holdings of the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo and other collections  Traces the development of monumental epigraphy and calligraphy in Egypt  Includes over 300 photographs, mostly in colour Bernard O'Kane is Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture at the American University in Cairo. He is the editor of three books and the author of eight, the most recent of which are Mosques: The 100 Most Iconic Islamic Houses of Worship (2019), The Mosques of Egypt (2016) and The Illustrated Guide to the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo (2012).