The Islamic ceilings of the Cappella Palatina in Palermo : other views / Tom Klobe.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Klobe, Tom, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mural painting and decoration, Medieval--Italy--Palermo--Themes, motives.

Mural painting and decoration, Medieval.

Ceilings--Decoration--Italy--Palermo--Themes, motives.

Ceilings.

Islamic decoration and ornament--Italy--Palermo--Themes, motives.

Islamic decoration and ornament.

Vaults (Architecture), Medieval--Italy--Palermo.

Vaults (Architecture), Medieval.

Cappella Palatina di Palermo.

Islamic decoration and ornament--Themes, motives.

Mural painting and decoration, Medieval--Themes, motives.

Italy--Palermo.

Physical Description:

xvi, 415 pages : illustrations ; 32 cm

Place of Publication:

Costa Mesa, California : Mazda Publishers, [2022]

Summary:

"The Cappella Palatina's place within the history of art is unique for it represents the visual amalgamation of three distinct cultures. The chapel combines a Latin basilica plan with a Byzantine central plan where the domed sanctuary and the walls of the nave and aisles are covered with Byzantine mosaics, but the ceilings of the nave and aisles are distinctly Islamic. The provenance of the craftsmen and artists who constructed and painted the ceilings has remained a question of speculation among scholars for more than a century and a half. Most contend the artists and craftsmen were imported from other areas of the Islamic world. Here the author questions long-accepted scholarly paradigms to consider the possibility that the central ceiling's construction and its painting are Sicilian innovations that were fostered and developed while the island was under Islamic rule (ca. 831-1072). The second issue explored by the author is the meaning of the ceiling's construction and program of decoration, one that expresses the marvels and wonders-the 'ajā'ib-that is integral to Islamic thought and philosophy. The paintings comprise a visual manifestation of the oral traditions of the ancient Middle East and of the increasingly written documentation that occurred in the early Islamic period. In the Cappella Palatina they constitute a continuation of imagery that was used in the Muslim palaces of Palermo. They celebrate the worldly authority and magnificence of a highly cultured court and the myriad pleasures and duties of this royal majlis, and by extension, the Islamic vision of the heavenly realm"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: History

Introduction

Muslim Conquest and Rule

The Norman Period

On Supposition of Fatimid Origin of Artists

Cappella Palatina History

Construction and Ornamentation

The Central Nave

The Side Aisles

Meaning

Ideological Meanings

Inscriptions

Glossary of Arabic Terms

Inscriptions Surrounding the Stars

Inscriptions in the Semicircular Lunettes

Inscriptions in the Niches of the Third Level

Inscriptions in the Southern Aisle

Iconography

Trees and Vine Scrolls

Stars, Squares, and Domes

Pleasures of the Court

Seated Kings

Drinking Companions

Musicians

Dancers

Scenes of Daily Life

Christian Scenes

Presumed Wrestlers

Battle Scenes

The Hunt

Hares

Elephants

Deer, Ibexes, Gazelles, and Antelopes

Falcons, Hawks, and Eagles

Peacocks and Birds

Lions

Horseman Escaping Lion

Lion and Ungulate

Lions and Prey

Man Subduing Lions

Double-Bodied, One-Headed Lion

Triple-Bodied, One-Headed Lion

Winged Lions

Lion and Dragon Combat

Horseman Fighting Dragon

Scenes from Arab Literature

Mermaids

Griffins

Sphinxes

Harpies

Ascension Scenes

Man Straddling Headless Quadrupeds

Sun and Moon Chariots

Summary.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 397-407) and index.

ISBN:

9781568593685

1568593686

OCLC:

1346144789