The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture

The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture provides comprehensive coverage of Islamic art across fourteen centuries and multiple continents. This three-volume reference work contains over 1,600 entries examining architecture, ceramics, painting, calligraphy, textiles, and other artistic traditions from the Islamic world. The encyclopedia features contributions from international scholars and experts in Islamic art history. The entries include detailed information about major monuments, artistic techniques, regional styles, influential artists and patrons, and the historical context of Islamic artistic developments. Each volume contains extensive cross-references and bibliographies to facilitate research and further study. The work is enhanced by over 500 illustrations, including photographs, architectural plans, and maps that document the full scope of Islamic artistic achievement. This reference work illuminates the connections between Islamic art and the religious, political, and cultural forces that shaped it throughout history. The encyclopedia demonstrates how Islamic artistic traditions both maintained continuity and evolved through contact with other cultures across time and space.

Readers value this encyclopedia as a reference work with detailed entries on Islamic art history, architecture, calligraphy, ceramics, and textiles. Multiple reviews note its comprehensive coverage of both well-known monuments and lesser-studied regional styles. Liked: - High quality color photographs and architectural drawings - Clear organization and cross-referencing between entries - Coverage of contemporary Islamic art and architecture - Inclusion of maps and chronological tables Disliked: - High price point limits accessibility ($495 retail) - Some entries lack depth compared to single-volume specialized works - Limited coverage of Central Asian and Southeast Asian Islamic art Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (8 ratings) WorldCat: 4/5 (6 ratings) One academic reviewer in the Journal of Islamic Studies praised its "balanced treatment of regional variations" but noted it "occasionally sacrifices detail for breadth." A museum curator called it "valuable for both students and scholars" in an Art Libraries Journal review.

Islamic Art and Architecture, 650-1250 by Richard Ettinghausen, Oleg Grabar, and Marilyn Jenkins-Madina This volume provides a chronological study of Islamic artistic development from the 7th to 13th centuries with architectural drawings, maps, and photographs.

Arts of the City Victorious: Islamic Art and Architecture in Fatimid North Africa and Egypt by Jonathan M. Bloom The book examines the artistic and architectural achievements of the Fatimid dynasty through archaeological evidence and historical documents.

Islamic Arts by Mariam Rosser-Owen This work presents Islamic art from Spain to Central Asia through object-based analysis of metalwork, ceramics, textiles, and manuscripts.

The Art and Architecture of Islam 1250-1800 by Sheila S. Blair, Jonathan M. Bloom The text covers the development of Islamic art across multiple dynasties with focus on regional variations and cultural exchange.

The Minaret by Jonathan M. Bloom The book traces the origin and evolution of the minaret as an architectural form through archaeological and historical evidence from the earliest Islamic periods to modern times.

🌟 Authors Jonathan Bloom and Sheila Blair are husband-and-wife scholars who have co-written numerous influential works on Islamic art and hold shared academic positions at Boston College 🏛️ The encyclopedia spans 1,600 years of Islamic art history across three continents, covering architecture, calligraphy, ceramics, textiles, and metalwork 📚 At 1,600 pages long and containing over 1,500 illustrations, it is considered one of the most comprehensive English-language resources on Islamic art and architecture 🕌 The work explores not just major monuments like the Taj Mahal, but also lesser-known regional styles and local artistic traditions from Spain to Southeast Asia ✍️ Many of the entries were adapted from The Grove Dictionary of Art (1996), but with significant updates and new scholarship to reflect modern research and discoveries in the field