Dragons & Sultans: Islamic Art & Architecture 1250-1600

Art and architecture in the Islamic lands from Genghis Khan in the 13th century to the Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century. The course consists of three parts. First, it examines the changes that occurred in Islamic art as a result of artists’ acquaintance with East Asian art and culture (14th century). Second, it discusses art and architecture in Central Asia and Afghanistan under Timurid rule (late14th-15th century), followed by an overview of the artistic achievements in the Early Modern Islamic lands under the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals (16th century). The course explores works of art in historical, cultural, and literary contexts, and points to the unique characteristics of each geographical region, as well as to pan-Islamic form and content. Among the topics that will be discussed: the architect Sinan and his legacy, the response of Islamic painting to European art, and representations of royal and religious concepts.