An Introduction to Islamic Fine art The Cour Visconti

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Some of the windows in the Louvre palace offer a view ofa stunning golden veil of glass and metal in one of the inner courtyards. Since 2012, this luminous awning has sheltered the Louvre's collection of Islamic Art.

Islamic Art

The term 'Islamic Fine art' refers to the various art forms of the Islamic world. These are represented in the Louvre by a option of artefacts made over an extensive time period ranging from the ascension of Islam in the 7th century to the late 19th century. Geographically, the collection spans three continents, from Kingdom of spain to Bharat via N Africa and Egypt.

The kickoff Islamic artworks entered the Louvre when the museum was founded in 1793, and the first Islamic galleries date from 1893. Back so, the preferred term was 'the Muslim arts' – a reference non to religious art, just to the predominance of Islam in the Middle Eastward and Africa. The drove expanded considerably in the 19th and 20th centuries, when Paris was at the forefront of Orientalism. The Louvre'southward Islamic artworks were initially presented in the Department of Decorative Arts before joining the Department of Eastern Antiquities, but after the creation by presidential decree of an independent Department of Islamic Art, they were moved to their present, purpose-designed construction in 2012.

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Today, the department houses over three,000 artworks reflecting the variety and luxury that surrounded caliphs, sultans and princes. Islamic inventiveness and excellence are illustrated by gleaming ceramics with gilded or Prc blue reflections, delicately carved ivories, precious metallic bowls and vases inlaid with gold and argent. Silks, carpets and miniature paintings provide an insight into the fascinating world of gardens, landscapes and palace life. Beautiful enamelled-glass lamps think the mosques of Cairo; colourful Iznik tiles evoke the monuments of Isfahan and Istanbul.

At the heart of the Louvre

The glass and metal structure was designed by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Mario Bellini and builder and exhibition designer Renaud Piérard. Information technology stands in the Cour Visconti, formerly an open up-air courtyard. Nether the aureate veil, the collection is spread over two levels with different lighting effects.

The upper level unfolds under this boggling roof of undulating metallic resembling a floating veil, a sand dune, an Islamic latticework window…whatever your imagination suggests! Surrounded by glass walls, the artworks are bathed in natural calorie-free, but the metallic structure protects them from the sun'south rays.

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The treasures on the lower level, on the other hand, are displayed in dim, mysterious lighting that creates an temper worthy of Aladdin's cave! A m and 1 dazzling colours and the gleam of gold and silvery transport us eastwards – to Córdoba, Cairo, Damascus, Baghdad, Aleppo, Mosul, Istanbul, Isfahan or Agra in India.

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A tour through the Islamic Art

Au Louvre ! Les salles des Arts de l'Islam

Video ii min

Did you know?

A luxury weapon

This dagger is a true piece of work of art – a precious masterpiece from India fabricated under the Mughal Empire (1526–1707). The finely crafted blade is of Damascus steel, the spectacular handle of precious materials: jade (a symbol of victory, perfect for a weapon!) inlaid with rubies and emeralds. The beauty of the piece likewise lies in the expressive depiction of the horse, whose lowered ears, flaring nostrils and open oral cavity showing its natural language and teeth suggest its impatience.

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Jousting…with words

This big panel, fabricated up of 63 ceramic tiles, once adorned a wealthy habitation or palace and testifies to the sophistication of Iranian fine art. It illustrates the entertainments at the court of Isfahan: in the enchanting setting of a luxuriant garden, ii seated immature princes are engaged in a poetry contest, one composing verses while the other recites.

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Masterpieces

  • Pyxis of al-Mughira

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A metalwork masterpiece

This is probably one of the most famous masterpieces in the Louvre'southward Islamic Art collection. Made from a single canvas of brass inlaid with silver and gold, the basin is decorated with scenes depicting a procession of princes on horseback, courtiers and hunters aslope numerous animals including dogs, falcons and leopards. In addition to its artistic significance, the basin is of great historical value: as office of the French Royal Treasury, it served equally a baptismal font ('baptistery') for the young Louis Xiii and, much later, for that of Napoleon III's son. Even so, the mystery remains as to how and when it entered the royal collections. The name it was given connects information technology to the king of France Saint Louis (reigned 1226–1270), only the basin was never used by that ruler… as he died some 50 years before it was created!

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