Different art forms, such as architecture, textiles, and book illumination, arose from geographical areas where the culture and politics were primarily Islamic. In 622 AD, the Islamic religion arose and spread as Islamic warriors claimed territory in the name of their god, Allah. Islamic art and architecture, with their distinctive natural and floral motif patterns, horror vacui, and sumptuous furnishings, came with aggressive conquest. Islamic art was influenced many of the surrounding artistic traditions, including Christian, Byzantine, and Central Asian traditions, despite being dominated architecture and lacking in pictorial tradition.
Mosques and palaces reflecting the Islamic art traditions of the time were built as political and cultural dominance spread from its epicenter in Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. Extensive, curvilinear, stylized patterns covered every available surface on the exteriors. These designs were intended to be decorative rather than religious. Stone carving and stucco reliefs were used on the exteriors of Islamic art and architecture. Luxurious patterned textiles, rugs, and ceramics were used to decorate the interiors.
As rulers used every means possible to reflect their wealth and love of luxury, mosaic tiled floors became very popular. The designs were crowded, repetitive patterns based on organic shapes and geometric patterns, similar to the exteriors of mosques and palaces. There wasn’t a single surface that wasn’t embellished. The Oriental rug was popular not only as a practical item, but also as a decorative item, a status symbol, and a favor gift. Weavers were employed royal courts to create ornately decorated rugs that became famous around the world the 10th century and are still popular examples of Islamic art today.
The Islamic love of luxury was reflected in practical items for use in mosques and palaces. Metal, wood, and ivory were crafted into richly decorated art objects with characteristic Islamic arabesque designs highly skilled artisans. Flattened reliefs characterized the designs, and colors were limited to those found in structural, metallic materials.
Because the Koran, Islam’s holy book, forbids graven images, Islamic art has traditionally lacked pictorial representations. Iran and Iraq, on the other hand, were producing illuminated books with rich illustrations of secular scenes of hunting, feasting, and battle the year 1,200 AD. Calligraphers and artists were frequently commissioned rulers to illustrate poetry books. The human figures in the 16th century Khamsa of Nizami, for example, are flattened and lack shading. The figures appear to float against the background, and the perspective is minimal to non-existent. The emphasis is on vibrant color and patterned shapes rather than realism.