Subjects / Islamic art

Best books to learn Islamic art, in order

A good path builds from a confident survey of Islamic art's core visual language — geometry, calligraphy, and ornament — through the monumental architecture of the great mosques, into the intimate worlds of manuscripts and metalwork, and finally into the rich regional traditions of Persia, the Arab lands, Ottoman Turkey, and beyond.

Build your own Islamic art list →Browse all paths

Reading paths for islamic art

Popular islamic art books

Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning islamic art?
A good path builds from a confident survey of Islamic art's core visual language — geometry, calligraphy, and ornament — through the monumental architecture of the great mosques, into the intimate worlds of manuscripts and metalwork, and finally into the rich regional traditions of Persia, the Arab lands, Ottoman Turkey, and beyond.
What's a good book to start islamic art with?
A strong starting point is The Arts of Persia by R. W. Ferrier. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.
What should I read after islamic art?
Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like Reggae, Punk rock.

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