Synopses & Reviews
Turquoise and marble cupolas, arches adorned with flowers and arabesques, motionless basins reflecting slender minarets, sparkling enamels of floral bouquets, miniatures populated by lovers stretched out in the shadeall these form part of the luxury decoration, refinement, and high spirituality that we define as "Persian style." This subtle art is revealed in magical locations such as Isfahan, rich in mosques and palaces; Bukhara and Samarkand with their shining domes; Lahore and the gardens of Shalimar; the Red Fort of Delhi, exalted as an earthly paradise; and the miraculous Taj Mahal of Agra. For a thousand years, from the frontiers of Iran to the heart of India, architects, landscape gardeners, calligraphers, miniaturists, and weavers have made their mark on Islamic art and architecture. This lavishly illustrated book examines the sources, analyzes the forms, and discusses the mystic themes and symbolism of the immense heritage handed down by Islamic artists and craftsmen. Over 500 color photographs and illustrations.
Review
Gorgeous.... Art historian Henri Stierlin explores a dazzling 1,000-year-old decorative tradition. (Publishers Weekly, 25 November 2002)
Review
Readers will wish to travel immediately to these exotic lands to soak up the promised splendor of the architecture. (Choice, U. U. Bates, May 2003)
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [316]) and index.
About the Author
Henri Stierlin is an art historian whose many books include volumes on the Romanesque, Greece, Turkey, India, and various aspects of Islamic art and culture.