Islamic Architecture - Hardcover

Hillenbrand, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0231101325 ISBN 13: 9780231101325

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 1994

Synopsis

This beautifully conceived and produced survey of Islamic architecture explores the glorious world of the caravansarai, mausoleum, palace, and mosque. Focusing on the multifaceted relation of architecture to society, Robert Hillenbrand covers public architecture in the Middle East and North Africa from the medieval period to 1700. Extensive photographs and ground plans― among which are hundreds of newly executed three-dimensional drawings that provide an accurate and vivid depiction of the structure―are presented with an emphasis on the way the specific details of the building fulfilled their function.

Included are chapters on religious and secular architecture and the architecture of tombs. Each building is discussed in terms of function, the links between particular forms and specific uses, the role of special types of buildings in the Islamic order, and the expressions of different sociocultural groups in architectural terms. Here the student or historian of Islamic architecture will find an astonishing resource, including Maghribi palaces, Anatolian madrasas, Indian minarets, Fatimid mausolea, and Safavid mosques, each rendered in lavish illustrations and explained with incomparable precision.

About this title

About the Author

Robert Hillenbrand is professor of Islamic art at the University of Edinburgh.

From the Back Cover

Robert Hillenbrand explores the range of public architecture in the Middle East and North Africa from the medieval period to 1700, focusing on the relationship between architecture and society. Included are chapters on religious and secular architecture and the architecture of tombs, each one providing a lucid and penetrating overview of a characteristic building type. Buildings are discussed in terms of form and function, the roles of specific building types in the Islamic order and the expression of different sociocultural groups in architectural terms.

Reviews

Evidence of the growing interest in Islamic art is the almost simultaneous appearance of Sheila S. Blair and Jonathan M. Bloom's Art and Architecture of Islam, 1250-1800 (LJ 1/95) and Hillenbrand's volume. Both will undoubtedly be used as textbooks on the subject for many years. Rather than the more typical chronological approach, Hillenbrand organizes the text around the development and expression of six public building types?the mosque, minaret, madrasa, mausoleum, caravansary, and palace?from the seventh century to 1700. For each, he explores its origins, structure, use, decoration, and evolution; accompanying the text are numerous photos, plans, and technical three-dimensional drawings. In addition, a glossary and four indexes provide detailed access to the text. This survey text is highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.?Dr. Eugene C. Burt, Art Inst. of Seattle Lib.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0231101325
• ISBN 13: 9780231101325
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 700