Oriental treasures in the mediterranean From Damascus To Granada. [English Ed.]

This sumptuous volume showcases the Islamic monuments and art that elevated early Mediterranean civilization to new heights in the renaissance of the 7th and 8th centuries. Its unique oversized format allows for exceptional detail in a body of work known for its complexity. From great architectural design to painstaking calligraphy, this book presents the treasures that bear witness to the revolutionary force and creativity of early Islamic artists. Madrasa, palace, fort, public bath, mausoleum, and garden designs are explored and placed into a historic and cultural context. Author Henri Stierlin, one of the foremost art historians specializing in early Islamic art and architecture, presents unique insights into the Islamic aesthetics of abstract decoration, formed by the interweaving of geometric mosaics, colors, and arabesques that expresses a feverish creativity inherent in the period.