Introduction
Islamic art has become a foundation of cultural design ever since its culmination. Islamic art is distinct in its design compared to other art forms and continues to serve as a marker of culture, faith, and beauty all in one. Even within Islamic art, there are many different cultural variations of style, color, and design. From artistic calligraphy adorning mosques to beautifully geometric mosaic patterns, the world of Islamic art is boundless. With its endless designs, you can incorporate Islamic art into your home, offering a unique blend of elegance and meaning. In this blog, we are going to discuss the history of Islamic art, modern Islamic wall art, beauty and benefits of including Islamic wall art in your home, popular types of Islamic wall decor, how to incorporate Islamic wall art in your home, and tips for buying quality Islamic art.
History of Islamic Art
Islamic art has gathered influences from empires that have ruled over its inception and continues to take on influences from modern perspectives. Islamic art describes art made by Muslims and encompasses a form that drew inspiration from people who practiced art under Islamic influences. Muslim art can range from architectural structures and geometric inlays to gold-trimmed calligraphy and wood-carved house furniture. This distinct art has been influenced throughout history and continues to evolve to modern interpretations today.
Islamic art dates back 1400 years ago, with its roots found in calligraphic transcriptions of the Quran. Because Islam was a relatively new religion then, early developments in Islamic art drew heavy inspiration from neighboring empires such as the Roman, Early Christian, and Sassanian. The pioneers of Islamic art were artisans from these regions who created art in their indigenous styles but evolved to include Islamic motifs. Artisans from the Iranian areas influenced ornate and graphic metalworking, crafts, and engraved coin art. Byzantine artisans inspired Islamic art with a naturalistic approach by emphasizing the beauty of animals and plants with mosaics. Arabic calligraphy evolved in parallel. Starting as an ornate transcription of the Quran, Arabic calligraphy evolved into decorative designs in mosques, pottery, sculptures, and other crafts. These artistic influences evolved to accommodate Muslim beliefs, where depicting animals and humans was prohibited in places of worship. The culmination of these styles and influences is well represented in the structure and ornamentation of the Umayyad era Dome of the Rock, emphasizing Byzantine-styled mosaic techniques, its Roman church-inspired hexagonal geometry, and its Arabic calligraphy tilework.
Heavy advancements in Islamic art began under the Umayyad caliphate, where Islamic art began to form a more distinctive look. Beautiful mosques that flaunted large domes, embellished walls, and vast courtyards were erected during this time, commonly depicting Islamic artistic motifs: mosaics of vegetation and geometric patterns, Arabic calligraphy, and symmetrical organization. Umayyad mosques were also known to begin incorporating Arabic calligraphy engravings and mosaics into their walls, forever transforming the embellishment of Islamic mosques for generations.
Modern Islamic Art
As generations pass, Islamic art continues to undergo influences reflecting generational shifts. Artists have begun incorporating modern art with traditional Islamic art to showcase and further influence this cultural shift. Re-appropriating and building new art forms continues to express Islamic art uniquely. Muslims have historically celebrated their love for Islam by capturing well-known Quranic verses and Islamic supplementations with art. Still, these artistic styles and mediums have expanded to include more of the cultural influences of the current generation.
Characteristics of modern Islamic art include incorporating traditional Islamic media with either cultural markers, political sentiments, or personal expressions, using contemporary art techniques and technologies. As described in the “History of Islamic Art” section above, calligraphy and geometric mosaics are predominant motifs in historical Islamic art. Artisans have modernized this form by incorporating these motifs with new art technologies, such as digital technology and milling machines. For example, there are countless digital designs of famous Islamic verses to frame in your home. Digital technology has made this easier for artists, as these calligraphic prints can be designed more efficiently and produced at a broader scale. Furthermore, other technologies, such as milling machines, enable artists to experiment with different mediums, such as wood, plastic, and metals, to produce more designs with different mediums faster. Artists have also begun incorporating cultural markers with Islamic art to demonstrate cultural statements parallel to Islam.
An example of this is engraved Ayatul Kursi necklaces on Arab map necklaces. Check out our blog on Ayatul Kursi necklaces here and our blog on Arab map necklaces here. Islamic art often reflects political sentiments, with politics intertwined with Islamic theology since its inception. Artisans actively use this connection to express political ideas through their work. An example is political graffiti in the Middle East, tying the inspiration of Islamic calligraphy design with modern political stances.
Beauty and Benefits of Islamic Wall Art in Your Home
From its inception to today, Muslims have always looked for ways to incorporate their beliefs into their homes, and Islamic art still serves as a popular means to do so. Islamic wall art is trendy, with many variations that have a modern take from the calligraphy, geometric, and vegetal designs we see in mosques today. Islamic wall art can vary; from hanging inscribed rugs to Islamic metal decals, there is plenty of design and medium. Islamic wall art brings beauty and spirituality to your home, with patterns and inscriptions emphasizing the Islamic principles of harmony, unity, and devotion to Allah.
Incorporating Islamic wall art into your home can benefit your spiritual health by creating a peaceful ambiance, reflecting your cultural heritage, and inspiring daily reflection. Islamic wall art can create a tranquil ambiance by incorporating repeating geometric patterns, mirrored images, and Quranic teachings/verses. These elements give a physical beauty to your room while simultaneously calling attention to the harmony of the Quranic verse's repeating geometries or profound meaning. Islamic wall art is also a powerful way to showcase and celebrate one's heritage. Incorporating visuals of your homeland brings a sense of belonging and warmth into your home. It also allows you to honor your heritage and incorporate your beliefs. Lastly, an added benefit of incorporating Islamic wall art is inspiring daily reflection. Sometimes, life can be overwhelming, and incorporating your favorite verse can gently remind you to reflect on faith and spirituality daily.
Popular Types of Islamic Wall Decor
Islamic wall art contributes to a spiritual environment in your home with unity and repetition, calligraphy and verses, abstract geometric forms, and symbolic colors and motifs. The unity and repetition in geometries found in Islamic art represent the infinite nature of God; the repeating patterns bring a sense of calmness and balance into the home, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Islamic wall art that contains calligraphy and Quranic verses also contributes to a spiritual environment by serving as a constant reminder of faith in Allah. The beauty of the calligraphic style blends with the meaning of the scripture, contributing to a visually beautiful Islamic art piece with profound meaning. Islamic wall art can also depict abstract forms, typically through flowers, vines, stars, moons, and other similar elements. Incorporating these elements emphasizes the divine in the world around us and the triviality of material goods. Celestial objects also remind us of the vastness of Allah and his omnipresence. Islamic wall art can also incorporate motifs and colors to convey spirituality. For example, green is a standard color in Islamic art, representing paradise and its beauty. Similarly, floral and vegetal motifs are common in Islamic art, as they compare to paradise's beauty. These elements bring serenity and beauty into your home, reminding you to reflect on your faith daily.
How to Incorporate Islamic Wall Art in Your Home and Choosing the Right Style for You
Decorating a new home or adding art to create a fresh look can sometimes be overwhelming. Choosing the right colors and designs to fit into your space while finding a piece that truly represents your culture and beliefs can be difficult, but we will provide some tips to make that process seamless. The first tip is always to balance the size of your art with your space. Opt for a larger piece to draw attention if you have large white walls. If you buy Islamic wall art on a canvas, use a frame to make the piece look more elegant and prominent. Consider purchasing a calligraphic metal cutout of your favorite verse, as these unique and sleek designs can add beauty to your space. The second tip is to balance color in your space. Islamic wall art is beautiful, and you want it to draw attention to your space. If the surroundings of your space are neutrals, opt for a piece that brings color and spark to your room. Another tip is to experiment with different mediums. Hanging pieces with other mediums, such as a prayer rug, a hand-painted canvas, and a metal calligraphy piece, can bring more texture and variance to your space. Differing mediums allow each piece to stand independently and not compete with others who share similar qualities in the same space. The last tip is to choose a style best for you. If you have a modern style, opt for more neutral or softer colors and minimalist designs. For a traditional look, you should look for ornately designed Arabic calligraphy pieces in classic colors such as gold, black, or green.
Tips for Buying Quality Islamic Wall Art
It’s essential to keep in mind a few tips when purchasing quality Islamic wall art. The first tip is to look for quality materials. Consider pieces made from high-quality materials, such as metal, wood, fabric, or canvas paintings. Materials like stick-on vinyl can be a poor choice, as it will peel over time. Higher-quality materials tend to last longer and maintain their beauty. An example of a high-quality material is metal calligraphy Quranic verse cutouts. These types of work are stunning and draw in the beauty of calligraphy with the meaning of the verse all in one piece. Another tip for buying quality Islamic wall art is to look at craftsmanship. Looking at the details of Islamic wall art will reveal the quality and craftsmanship. Be on the lookout for rough edges, unfinished details, and discoloration, as these can alter the look of your Islamic wall art.
Conclusion
Islamic wall art is a timeless and classic way to bring beauty, spirituality, and meaning into your home. With endless designs, colors, and styles, Islamic wall art can put a piece of faith in anyone’s home. Explore the world of Islamic decor here at Noureem and find Islamic wall art that expresses your style and values.
