Art of the Islamic World: A Resource for Educators—Unit 5: Courtly Splendor of the Islamic World. (n.d.). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www3.metmuseum.org/learn/educators/curriculum-resources/art-of-the-islamic-world

Unit Five of the MET Museum Art of the Islamic World features the theme courtly splendor in the Islamic World. This unit includes four chapters to examine how royalty influenced art. Chapter One, Courts Art of Islamic Spain, showcases the diverse art from the Spanish Ummayad and Nasrad periods. This chapter discusses topics such as Spanish Ummayads, alliances between Islamic Spain and North Africa, and the Nasrid rule in Spain. Examples of featured art are panels and capital. Chapter Two, Art and Empire: The Ottoman Court, features topics such as the Ottoman empire and Ottoman art. An example of art featured in this chapter is an official signature of Sultan Suleiyman. Chapter Three, The Making of a Persian Royal Manuscript: The Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp, analyzes the Shahnama – Persian national epic. The Shanama provides a historical account of the Iranian kingship from the beginning of time till the conquest of Iran by the Arabs. This chapter features themes and the making of a royal manuscript. Chapter Four, The Mughal Court and the Art of Observation, illustrates the skills of Mughal artists and the natural depictions with Mughal art. This chapter highlights Mughal Art during the rule of Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Examples of featured art in this chapter is a dagger and the emperor Shah Jahan with his son Darah Shikoh. Each chapter includes a lesson plan with the featured artwork with activities relating to the theme. Suggested reading and resources are also included. Grade level: middle and high school.

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The Teaching Against Islamophobia resources were developed with funding support from the Law Foundation of BC, and the Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies at SFU.