The pictures of the camel in Islamic codex Munimnemat al-Hariri

Abstract EN

The Arabic Islamic Art had deep roots in history partly inherited by ancient traditions and cultures.

Different supports were employed in artistic decoration (metalwork, ivory, glass, ceramics, etc.).

The subject of this study is focused on the art of using decorations and illustrations in manuscripts, which is a feature of Arabic Islamic art.

One of the most important school in writing and art of manuscripts was the Baghdad School of Illustrations.

Through Islamic art and culture history from the 8th to 18th centuries, codices were one of the most important arts, used by Muslims to transfer the knowledge to the other civilizations.

In the first two centuries, drawing in manuscripts was forbidden and disapproved in Islamic religion.

In the end of 10th and 12th centuries a major development in Islamic culture and art occurred, and that made a base for the development of manuscripts art.

Many new items were introduced in manuscripts, like pictures.

Manuscripts were decorated with many images, such as plants, geometrical patterns, human and animal figures, which were the main subject of the decoration.

But in the end of the 11th century, the Islamic culture found further developments, because of the exchange of culture between the Arabic world and other traditions.

So, the drawing and illustrations in the society culture became more open, and the use of illustrations in Islamic codex started to be accepted, while it was forbidden in the eighth and ninth centuries AD.

One of the most interesting manuscript in Islamic history is the Munimnemat by Al-Hariri1 that contains beautiful illustrations.