Splendors of Islam

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This magnificent book serves as a key to understanding a vital architectural tradition that has produced major masterpieces across the near east, particularly in Persia, India, Turkey, North Africa, Southern Russia, and Spain. With human representation forbidden in Islamic religious monuments, design and ornamentation achieve extraordinary expression through mosaics, stucco, brickwood, and ceramics, enhanced by brilliant colors. The study is a collaboration between distinguished art scholar Dominique Clevenot and renowned photographer Gerald de George, who visited and photographed hundreds of monuments, highlighting their most significant features. Unlike other works that categorize the subject geographically or chronologically, the authors explore this complex topic through four interconnected themes: the history of Islamic architecture, materials and techniques, ornamental design, and the aesthetics of ornamentation. Each theme is illustrated with outstanding examples from across the Islamic world. Travelers captivated by the Taj Mahal or the Alhambra will gain deeper insights, while architects and designers will discover endless inspiration. Historians will find illumination, and anyone interested in the vast world of Islam will uncover new knowledge in this stunning full-color publication.