THE ISLAMIC WORLD

Sinan the Great was responsible for some of the masterworks of Ottoman architecture. His greatest work, the Mosque of Selim II in Edirne, Turkey was constructed to glorify his patron. It was also intended to surpass the Christian Hagia Sophia. What is your opinion of this strategy? Can you think of any other structures that pursued similar ends?

Question 2.

Watch the below youtube video . Feel free to start after the third minute as the introductory part of the first three minutes is irrelevant to the homework questions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL4QpirJcYk
Paradise is a concept that is closely connected to Islamic architecture. What are the most important similarities and diferences between the concept of heavan on earth within Christian and Islamic conceptions of the role for architecture?

Consider the geometric motif and the use of calligraphy (the word) as art. How does the use of the word as art difer in creating a visual spectacle than the Byzantine use of mosaics?

Question 3.

Trace the Birth of Islam through the Nature of Islamic Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Web site. Summarize how the aspects discussed in the Nature of Islamic Art section, specifically the calligraphy section helps you to understand why this artform was so significant to Muslims.

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One of the most resonant people in Ottoman architecture is known as Mimar Sinan. He’s believed to have lived in the years between 1490 and 1588. About 250 breath-taking structures are associated with him, including the Mosque of Selim in Edirne. The mosque stands at the summit of a raised ground and this makes it dominate the skyline. It has 18 successions of small domes, which are centralized with a very huge dome. Most of his constructions were schools and mosques. His designs were forerunners of…………….

MLA 871

Words