Masterpieces from the Department of Islamic Art in The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Nov 24, 2011, 9:58:25 PM11/24/11

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Masterpieces from the Department of Islamic Art in The Metropolitan
Museum of Art superb catalog of highlights of the Met's Islamic art
collection, November 21, 2011
By Ivor E. Zetler (Sydney Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Masterpieces from the Department of Islamic Art
in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Hardcover)
This book is issued in conjunction with the opening of the revamped
Islamic art galleries at the Metropolitan Museum. The Met's collection
consists of over 12,000 items and 298 highlights are described in this
volume. An introductory essay details the history of the collection
and the display areas. Presumably due to publication deadlines, there
are no illustrations of the new galleries. The items illustrated and
described cover aspects of Islamic art emanating from civilizations
ranging between Spain and Tunisia in the west to India in the east.
The artworks cataloged are of the finest quality and generally in
excellent states of preservation. The earliest pieces date from the
seventh century. Included are ceramics, manuscripts, glass,textiles,
carpets, calligraphy, metalwork and paintings.

This book serves as a valuable general overview of Islamic art and
would be be of value to the general reader as well at those with a
specialist interest in this fascinating subject. There are many well
sized color illustrations of good quality. Highly recommended.

Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Maryam D. Ekhtiar is Senior Research Associate in the Department of
Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Priscilla P. Soucek is
John L. Loeb Professor, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.
Sheila R. Canby is the Patti Cadby Birch Curator in Charge of the
Department of Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Navina
Najat Haidar is Curator and Administrator in the Department of Islamic
Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Book Description
Series: Metropolitan Museum of Art | Publication Date: November 29,
2011
This expansive book reveals the great diversity and range of art of
the Arab lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and later South Asia.
Published to coincide with the historic reopening of the galleries of
the Metropolitan Museum's Islamic Art Department, it presents nearly
three hundred masterpieces from one of the finest collections in the
world. The works range chronologically from the origins of Islam in
the seventh century through the nineteenth century, and geographically
from as far west as Spain and Morocco to as far east as India.
Outstanding miniature paintings and illuminated manuscripts, ceramics,
textiles, carpets, glass, and metalwork reflect the mutual influence
of artistic practice in the sacred and secular realms. Many of these
beautiful objects display the rich traditions of calligraphy, vegetal
ornament (the arabesque), and geometric patterning that distinguish
the arts of the Islamic world.

With seven informative essays and almost three hundred catalogue
entries—supplemented by introductory essays on the collection and its
display—this handsome and comprehensive overview will enlighten the
specialist and the general reader alike.

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