Ruth Leon recommends… The Art of Islam – Foreign Yet Familiar
Ruth Leon recommendsThe Art of Islam – Foreign Yet Familiar
This video is not new, except to me, as it was made in 2020, but it is a wonder.
It reflects 14 centuries of changing political and cultural landscapes across three continents. This amazing exhibition, from the Louvre and the Met, contains artworks from all over the Islamic world and includes interviews with world-renowned curators and experts who patiently explain what those of us who are ignorant about these artworks and artifacts need to know about them.
It is a television programme, part of a series called Great Museums. The descriptions, in French and English (the French is translated) are clear and fascinating. It is divided into six easily comprehensible sections:
1. The Ummayads and the Birth of Islamic Art
2. The Abbasids and The Golden Age of Islam
3. Islam and Europe
4. China and the Muslim World
5. The Modern Empires of Islam
6. The Last Empire The Ottomans
Undoubtedly, my art history film of the week, maybe the year.
A wonderful, wonderful film. I have long been fascinated by Islamic art starting when I visited the extraordinary Mezquita in Córdoba. With visits over the years to India, China and Istanbul before a stopover to see the beautiful Museum in Doha and a stunning visit to see the treasures in Iran about 5 years ago, especially those in the glorious city of Esfahan but equally in Kashan, there are so many more I would love to see. Thank you so much for posting.
It has been claimed in the media that this exhibition was prompted by the wish to sooth immigrant communities’ worries about being fully accepted in the West. But people fulminating against immigrant muslems would not see the exhibition.
The Golden age of Islamic art and science was cut short by the fundamentalists. Its best works belong to humanity as a whole…. entirely independently from religion.
“Its best works belong to humanity as a whole…. entirely independently from religion.” Which is precisely what is said in the film!
A good documentary tainted by the presence/interviews of Jean-Luc Martinez, former president of the Louvre, indicted by the French authorities for trafficking of antiquities, fraud, and money laundering. He denies the charges.
Art-museums-war-profits-looting-ownership are inextricably intertwined.
Great look, promoting Islam. Perfect timing. Proud of you.
Of course islamic art is not ‘promoting’ Islam. We should be able to experience art as art and not politicise it, as the wokals do.