Al-Andalus: The Art of Islamic Spain

by Jerrilynn D. Dodds (Editor), Metropolitan Museum of Art

This beautifully illustrated volume is much more than the catalog of an exhibition of Spain's Islamic art that was held at the Alhambra and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York this summer. It opens with an excellent historical outline of Islamic Spain, divided into sections by period; each section is written by a leading scholar and followed by a discussion of the characteristic arts, architecture, fortifications, and so forth. The subsequent four articles on the Alhambra itself give the best analysis of the subject in English. The catalog is precisely reproduced, with photographs of the highest quality. That it collects in one volume artworks that are so widely dispersed is a major achievement, especially because there is no institute in Spain devoted to the art of the Islamic centuries. Designed for both scholar and lay reader, it is the most important volume to be produced on the subject and belongs in every art and academic library for its contribution to both history and art.

Genres: Art, Art History, History, Nonfiction, Islam, Spain, Middle East

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

BA, Barnard College. MA, PhD, Harvard University. Work has centered on issues of artistic interchange—in particular, among Christians, Jews, and Muslims—and how groups form identities through art and architecture; special interest in the arts of Spain and the history of architecture. Author of Architecture and Ideology in Early Medieval Spain and NY Masjid: The Mosques of New York and co-author of Arts of Intimacy: Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the Making of Castilian Culture, among other books and publications.

Source: https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/faculty...

Reviews

[Czarny Pies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fabulous coffee table book that you should buy after you make a trip to Granada to see the Alhambra. Remember Paella and Gazpacho are the local specialties. The Sacromonte caves offer great Flamenco music in the evening and allow the North American tourist a great way to cool down after a very memorable afternoon walking through the Alhambra.

[Horus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous book contains sixteen well written articles on the many different aspects of Islamic art in medieval Spain. From discussions on the architecture, and decoration thereof, through textile, ceramic, calligraphy & illumination, leather, metal, stone, ivory and woodworking, this book is a feast for the eyes and a great resource for anyone interested in the arts of al-Andalus. Following the articles, which themselves contain photos, is a large, well photographed catalogue, worth perusing slowly.

This particular edition was digital, downloaded from the MET museum and is well digitized allowing for much enlargement of many of the photos.

All in all, this is an excellent example of a museum catalogue and a great investment (printed or digital) for anyone interested in this area.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overly expensive "beau livre" (or "Coffee Table book" to use the less elegant English expression) that is best read on your computer.

I can't say I really read this book as it mostly illustrations of Andalusian artifacts - but I've been looking at them for a while now and I felt the urge to write my opinion on this beautiful collection of objects.

It's range encompasses aspects from architecture to metalwork (swords etc.) passing by manuscripts, jewel cases, bags, perfume cups, clothing, astrolabs, coins. They are mostly originating from andalusian spain but many objects from Fes and Marrakech are included too.

I liked the square Almohade Dirhams and the weird Pisa Griffin. The griffin has the following written on it :
بركة كاملة ونعمة شاملة
غبطة كاملة وسلامة دائمة
(Perfect blessing, complete well-being
Perfect joy, perpetual peace) - as probably good wishes conveyed to the owner.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een koffietafelboek, geen historisch naslagwerk. Maar door de afbeeldingen zeker fijn om af en toe te bladeren en terug te denken aan je bezoek. Want je moet echt eerst in Andalusië geweest zijn om de vele foto's te kunnen waarderen. De inhoud van de artikelen vond ik eerlijk gezegd tegen vallen. Het boek miste een rode draad. De eindredacteur J. Dodds heeft kennelijk weinig invloed uit kunnen oefenen op de selectie van auteurs en hun schrijfwerk. Het intro artikel van Dodds en Walker vond ik dan ook een gemiste kans. tip: lees Maria Menocal, 'de gouden eeuwen van Analusie' ernaast, om dit hiaat op te vullen. Erg kostbaar boek ook, gelukkig kon ik het tweedehands aanschaffen.

[Sharon Wildwind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far too much text to read in the three weeks I had it from the library, but great photos.