Islamic Art as a Reflection of Civilization

“Islamic art” is broadly understood as all the arts that have been produced in the Muslim world. However, it does not simply denote the crafts of Muslim patrons. “Islamic art” is qualified as “Islamic” because its contents often refer explicitly or implicitly not just to scripture but religious values as a whole. Orientalist art historians in the 19th century began to treat “Islamic art” as a strictly codified means of expression concentrated in the Middle East, failing to notice the intricate differences under the umbrella that is Islamic art in the Muslim world at large. Islam was able to bring out the best qualities in multiple cultures.