"Islamic Art is altogether an astounding achievement: interestingly informative, accurate, balanced in
coverage and judgment. It is a wonderful book for students and museum-goers who wish to get acquainted with this
tradition."
--Oleg Grabar, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University
"A sumptuously illustrated, accurate, balanced and critically aware historical survey of Islamic art and architecture
from the beginnings until modern times, this work...provides clear, informative treatments of architecture, pottery
and tilework, textiles and carpets, painting, glass, jade, metal work, calligraphy, and the arts of the book."
--Frederick M. Denny, Religious Studies Review
"The intense blend of history and art insights makes for a volume which is scholarly and weighty, yet spellbinding.
Discussions of dynasty changes, political influences on the development of Islam and Islamic art style, and transition
points which fostered new Islamic art traditions accompany excellent, bright color illustrations of architectural
and artistic Islamic heritage."
--Midwest Book Review
"This may well be the first book on this subject that is sensible, accessible, authoritative, thoughtfully
organized--and does not require a table to support it. Islamic Art is also illustrated with remarkable finesse."
--David Nalle, American-Arab Affairs
Harvard University Press Web Site, April, 2000
Summary
From the Taj Mahal, from the Dome of the Rock to the ever evolving art of calligraphy, Barbara Brend traces
the development of classic Islamic art from the seventh through the twentieth century.