The Arts of Persia - & Other Countries of Islam

Hagop K. Kevorkian

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Arts of Persia, by H. KevorkianThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and withalmost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away orre-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License includedwith this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.netTitle: The Arts of Persia& Other Countries of IslamAuthor: H. KevorkianRelease Date: August 28, 2008 [EBook #26473]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ARTS OF PERSIA ***Produced by Fritz Ohrenschall, Linda Cantoni, and theOnline Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.netTranscriber's Note: The main text in this book is interspersed with numerous illustrations andaccompanying text. In this e-book, the illustrations and accompanying text are set off from the main textby boxes. Where the original indicates that the main text is continued on another page, the continuationnote (e.g., [CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE]) is hyperlinked to the appropriate page. SPECIAL EXHIBITIONTHE ARTS OF PERSIA& OTHER COUNTRIES OF ISLAMH. KEVORKIAN COLLECTIONFROM THURSDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SECONDTO SATURDAY, MAY FIFTEENTH, INCLUSIVEON THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOORTHE ANDERSON GALLERIES489 PARK AVENUE AT FIFTY-NINTH STREET, NEW YORK1926THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR GALLERIESFROM THURSDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SECONDTO SATURDAY, MAY FIFTEENTH, INCLUSIVE[OPEN WEEK-DAYS, 9-6; SUNDAYS, 2-5 P.M.]STUCCO BAS-RELIEF, PAINTED IN POLYCHROME. EXCAVATED AT RAY ...

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• Publié par: lufeb
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 50
• Langue: English

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htiw desrepsretnstluils ouerum ntxi  netm iaT ehis iook is bn thnadaritno s

Transcriber's Note: accompanying text. In this e-book, the illustrations and accompanying text are set off from the main text by boxes. Where the original indicates that the main text is continued on another page, the continuation note (e.g., [CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE]) is hyperlinked to the appropriate page.

 

Title: The Arts of Persia & Other Countries of Islam Author: H. Kevorkian Release Date: August 28, 2008 [EBook #26473] Language: English

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Arts of Persia, by H. Kevorkian This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Produced by Fritz Ohrenschall, Linda Cantoni, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ARTS OF PERSIA ***

SPECIAL EXHIBITION

THE ARTS OF PERSIA & OTHER COUNTRIES OF ISLAM

.H KEVORKIAN COLLEOITCN e ir mto athes dvnoceine tee ehtion has  exhibitnaeg diwebnea rrSIHfinam ninoitatsesfot cn ew ohohes int areted eres UH ] M gear (TD MAAM lnE[ D.A( 013   .)229 .espre Thpycot en ausi  seutnsbqe of  onePersthe  reP naisnaM rcsut iptienedtl"H, siotyro  faTabir", compiled A.H.ne D O WABD N A BER AM li thgie eht fo for ons ratilustutyrC neIIht aIX ) ETTNWI PHEPHROH( IS SIESSELA SW AND SUON-IN-LAD FEAE TCCSEOS)R coreedrdn  i oanm ehasse,seg sa rnings. One of tgnt ehd vini eawz,niar Ptiarmp iot dammawarsuhK  e se wery Muh nt ber e thtgaseemss,ot aht eferderr hoke erthn boe cerosdi aTabirr te that ng to noitseretni si tI .52 3H.A., mia'al l'Byba et dsnal traion,versian  K ot doGs warsuh

FROM THURSDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SECOND TO SATURDAY, MAY FIFTEENTH, INCLUSIVE ON THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR THE ANDERSON GALLERIES 489 PARK AVENUE AT FIFTY-NINTH STREET, NEW YORK 1926

THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR GALLERIES FROM THURSDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SECOND TO SATURDAY, MAY FIFTEENTH, INCLUSIVE [OPEN WEEK-DAYS, 9-6; SUNDAYS, 2-5 P.M.]

f oon

STUCCO BAS-RELIEF, PAINTED IN POLYCHROME. EXCAVATED AT RAY (RHAGES) ANTERIOR TO THE XIITH CENTURY

T of the arts of different countries over which Islam held sway at one time or other in the past. An effort has been made to show under one roof representative examples of works produced at different epochs and stages of the civilizations referred to, so that they may be seen, and perhaps studied, with the minimum expenditure of time. Fine examples of many branches of the arts of these peoples are in permanent exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and the museums of great cities throughout the country. It is difficult to find adequate words to describe the enchanting atmosphere of the halls at the Metropolitan Museum where Near Eastern art is installed; and the same can truly be said of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum, Philadelphia. These exhibitions must inevitably contribute to the enjoyment and education of countless visitors to these institutions, and will continue to do so in increasing degree to the enjoyment of generations to come. The present exhibition does not comprise a vast number of objects. Its claim to attention lies in the fact that it includes an important series of really first class works which are also of great historical importance. There will be on view as well some comparatively new types of objects of æsthetic and archæological interest, obtained as the result of recent excavations. The briefness of time available precluded the possibility of compiling a catalogue, as was at first intended. The present booklet is issued to explain the scope of the exhibition, and extend a cordial invitation to visit it. H.K.

Muhammade. From tselo  ft ehA opifrc, ulth, mee issatano ehtpmoc : "In eadsb, r-Ira G do efon mat eh nt eptriscnuMa ld lu tayahiN delti

One of eight illustrations for a XIIIth Century Manuscript entitled, "History of Tabari", compiled A.H. 310 (A.D. 922). The present copy is a subsequent one of the Persian version, translated by al B'ala'mi, A.H. 352. "It was a dynasty abounding in good qualities, richly endowed with generous attributes, wherein the wares of science found a ready sale, the merchandise of culture was in great demand, the observances of religion were respected, charitable bequests flowed freely ... and the frontiers were bravely kept."—Al-Fakhri (historian of fame of the XIIIth Century) on the Abbasid Dynasty.

The rise of Islam and its rapid advent to power, is perhaps the most surprising chapter of the history of mankind. The great empires, Persian and Byzantine, which were subjected to the urgent onslaught of this rising power may have been in an enfeebled condition as a result of excess of despotism and internal dissensions, as historians affirm; but that the element of the power must have been in the rationality of the principles contained in the teaching, there can be no doubt. "It was undoubtedly to Islam, that simple yet majestic creed of which no unprejudiced student can ignore the grandeur, that Arabs owed the splendid part which they were destined to play in the history of civilization. In judging of the Arabian Prophet, western critics are too often inclined to ignore the condition from which he raised his country, and to forget that many institutions which they condemn were not introduced but only tolerated by Islam. The early Muslims were very sensible of the immense amelioration in their life effected by Muhammad's teachings. What this same amelioration was is well shown in the following passage from the oldest extant biography of the Prophet," says Professor G. Browne in his memorable work on Persia, [1] and quotes Ibn Hisham (A.H. 213: A.D. 828) in support. "During the first half of the seventh century," says Dozy in [ CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE ]

 LAMSQUES MOGLASEL DMALE ENERHMO

his excellent work on Islam, [2]  "everything followed its accustomed course in the Byzantine as in the Persian Empire. These two states continued always to dispute the possession of western Asia; they were, to all outward appearance, flourishing; the taxes which poured into the treasuries of their Kings reached considerable sums, and the magnificence, as well as the luxury of their capitals had become proverbial. But all this was but in appearance, for secret disease consumed both empires; they were burdened by a crushing despotism; on either hand the history of the dynasties formed a concatenation of horrors, that of the state a series of persecutions born of dissensions in religious matters. At this juncture it was that, all of a sudden, there emerged from deserts hardly known and appeared on the scene of the world a new people, hitherto divided into innumerable nomad tribes, who, for the most part, had been at war with one another, now for the first time united. It was this people, passionately attached to liberty, simple in their food and dress, noble and hospitable, gay and witty, but at the same time proud, irascible, and, once their passions were aroused, vindictive, irreconcilable and cruel, who overthrew in an instant the venerable but rotten empire of the Persians, snatched from the successors of Constantine their fairest provinces, trampled under their feet a Germanic kingdom but lately founded, and menaced the rest of Europe, while at the same time, at the other end of the world, its victorious armies penetrated to the Himalayas. Yet it was not like so many other conquering peoples, for it preached at the same time a new religion. In opposition to the dualism of the Persians and a degenerate Christianity, it announced a pure monotheism which was accepted by millions of men, and which, even in our own time, constitutes the religion of a tenth part of the human race." The teachings of Muhammad were not of a nature to arouse [ CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE ]

[Enlarge] ACCESSION AT KUFA, A.D. 749, OF ABU'L-ABBAS ABDULLAH AS-SAFFAH FIRST CALIPH OF THE HOUSE OF ABBAS

YURNTCE HTIIIX EHT FO PPYCOL ty triumphs, rejvorew oh macalimsterdian, ngd anb siferefo tdnu  aw, husrit asubm naont  o O . K  nuec Ichhi wntsem  aeht stceegassem  na diwhtti hoG do wage wrepare tle rp esfas o ,ealshbet  tndu ho ll".erew .aFelsshelphem nd tt fion llahs hcihw ra w alestpo Ais h  .dz tuBp otecor. edriVe Ilyxt eHurman si ere rehto oe  Hd.Gowhs  iittn olou G dohteeside, bem th who  mderie an, mad aw Ied sw hc neh d me when o guarde  nrohpnaI w saa ern  ingyirasts   ohw eh ylnO .ror gui andute,stit Iaweh nemw ed d

fot ih saxpmel sdvanced highly a fry eewVe laC shpi fo pygEerrdf  omeMakeluere exucet dybo  ion of art and we am citartatsefinlymerextocstri arpse yernae ne tsurvart  Theive. .ylligraphicent ca namngfircbidei ns ilyalduvidiin ,seuqsoM taerg rthei to them by tadedecidnd ,ta  hulunt Tetteth l rai paep leele n cx  oestltir muTif t dna em lluf eh monarch sits. Thi u op nhwci hht edeorofr he tug rgniruor t dnb eh peer yr R .neuthtC e XVf ths) oKing fo cipE(  AMANHASHA F  OESAG-PLE  .hT eaneftsvilanding a 07) atte7 .H8-63gnaL.A( muTii-r-ntseg in ehT" :sda manhahS ioacgra re plyus 'r sasodrgpauaotscrih inn reptio iht v drtisiyam—t  i oben me gofestndeb  y.H.Mt he Emperor at my peEme thy  bedntot aissuR fo rorManuant ports imeressap tpw csirg,ur D.A. et Psber A ehsabm281 T .9 assador  the Amb ataS .tfoP reis SULLINSIOATTRIT TOR F  n adei la ,optrrontin fthe  of  1 .H.A , iT" ".542 g Ber muatses wa fauoirA bmsaasodr, 22nd of Rajab  dootrof.enu ahuMadmmli Abn iGhi  ....

[Enlarge] AN EARLY SAFAWID PAINTING (CIRCA A.D. 1525) OF EXQUISITE RHYTHM, DEPTH AND DIGNITY

FAIENCE CYLINDRICAL VASE, WITH RELIEF AND LUSTRE DECORATION. FROM FOSTAT (ANCIENT CAIRO), DYNASTY OF FATIMID ANTI-CALIPHS (A.D. 974-1171)

[Enlarge] ROYAL IVORY BOX, WITH METAL MOUNTING. HISPANO-ARABIAN ART, XIITH-XIIITH CENTURY DECORATED IN ENAMEL AND GOLD, DEPICTING INSIGNIA OF SUCCESSORS OF UMAYYAD CALIPHS OF SPAIN, AND QUR'ANIC ROSETTES AND KUFIC CALLIGRAPHY OF THE HIGHEST DISTINCTION

intolerance. [3] History does not record the practice of compulsory conversion in the scheme of conquest of early converts. "It is often supposed," says Professor Browne, "that the choice offered by the warriors of Islam was between the Qur'an and the Sword; this, however, is not the fact." There are innumerable evidences to the contrary which history records. [4] It appears that the exemplary behavior of the Arabs, under their newly acquired faith, was the main factor not only in the success of their scheme of conquest, but also in the impression which it made on the defeated in determining them to adopt the faith which produced such upright warriors. The tremendous political upheaval that the evolution of Islam brought in its train to the affairs of the world does not fall within the scope of this paper. A highly important fact, however, must not be lost sight of, that by consolidating and unifying the tottering states a new civilization was founded which knew how to turn to account the culture of the ancient states conquered. In this overwhelming transformation Persia came in, from the outset, to play the most conspicuous and important part. The [ CONTINUED ON PAGE NINE ]

artistic productions of the Muhammadan world that have come down to us as living monuments, substantiate this statement without a shadow of doubt, which makes it unnecessary to resort to recorded history, although its pages abound with incontestable evidences. [5] It would be difficult to offer an explanation for the underlying unity and integrity of character manifest in the artistic expression of the Muhammadan countries, of vast geographical range, without a clear understanding of the vital force contained in the teachings of the Arabian Apostle, and the characteristics of his people, destined to carry those teachings from one end of the earth to the other. For this reason the foregoing brief survey has been ventured. There can be no doubt that the pivot around which the artistic activities of Muhammadan countries revolved, was Persia. [6] She was to attain the function of the Sun, element of [ CONTINUED ON PAGE SEVENTEEN ]

as sittiand he w erguodngno  nhtf  obea trenceanalaP ;ecitua luf

[Enlarge] ILLUSTRATIONS FOR TITLE-PAGES OF A SHAHNAMA (EPIC OF KINGS) OF THE XVTH CENTURY

"On the extreme of the western side of the royal precincts opening on to the Chahar Bagh are a garden and building. The Garden was previously called "Bagh i Bulbul" (Garden of Nightingales).—Lord Curzon, History of Persia. "Night drawing on, all the pride of Spahaun was met in the Chaur Baug and grandees were airing themselves, prancing about with their numerous trains, striving to outdo each other in pomp and generosity."—Dr. Fryer, recorded A.D. 1677. Chardin, who was at Ispahan at the time of Shah Suleiman's reign (1667-1694), records in his "Voyages", Vol. VIII, page 43: "When one walks in these places expressly made for the delights of love and when one passes through all these cabinets and niches, one's heart is melted to such an extent that to speak candidly, one always leaves with a very ill grace. The climate without doubt contributes much towards exciting this amorous disposition, but assuredly these places, although in some respects little more than cardboard castles, are nevertheless more smiling and agreeable than our most sumptuous palaces." Lord Curzon says (History of Persia, Vol. II, page 37) that "Even Chardin, enthusiastic but seldom sentimental, was inspired to an unwonted outburst by the charms of Hasht Bahisht".

VIEW OF CHAHAR BAGH (FOUR GARDENS) AND HASHT BAHISHT (PAVILION OF EIGHT PARADISES) AT ISPAHAN. CONSTRUCTED BY SHAH SULEIMAN SAFAWI ABOUT A.D. 1670. REPRODUCTION FROM "LA PERSE, LA CHALDEE ET LA SUSIANE" (1887) BY DIEULAFOY

PAIR OF DOORS FROM THE PAVILION OF CHAHAL SITUN  (Hall of Forty Pillars) built by Shah Abbas the Great (A.D. 1588-1629). These are decorated with representations of scenes from the Royal Court of the great Shah, painted minutely by Court artists. "They transport us straight to the Court of the lordly Abbas and his predecessors or successors on the throne.... We see the King engaged at some royal festivity enjoying the pleasure of the Bowl."—Lord Curzon, History of Persia, Vol. II, page 34. Ker Porter, who saw the Palace of Chahal Situn in its perfect condition, records: "The exhaustless profusion of its splendid materials reflected not merely their own golden lights on each other, but all the variegated colours of the Garden, so that the whole surface seemed formed of polished silver and mother of pearl set with precious stones." Lord Curzon, who visited it soon after its last repair in 1891, quotes Ker Porter and by way of contrast says: "The bulk of this superb decoration which still remains in the Throne Room behind, to point bitter contrast, had on the walls of the Loggia been ruthlessly obliterated by the brush of the painter, who had left in its place pink wash; had I caught the Pagan, I would gladly have suffocated him in a barrel of his own paint."—History of Persia, Vol. II, page 33.

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