Need something to do this summer? How about checking out an Islamic Art Exhibit? We searched for some of the most Prestigious Islamic Art Collections from around the world and this is what we came up with. You’ll be surprised by how large the Islamic Art Collections actually are. We found out that some of the collections have thousands of pieces.
THE BENAKI MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART IN ATHENS, GREECE |
Renovations are going on for the Islamic Arts in both New York and Paris. We were pleasantly surprised to find that, at the Louvre, the Department of Islamic Art is the youngest of the eight departments in the museum. It was established in 2003. (Just as an aside, we came across all of our information online, but an in-depth, in-person perspectives of each gallery is a goal we’ll reach one day, insha’allah!)
Several of the galleries, including the The Islamic Art Collection a the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, have resourceful and interactive online sites that dive into the history behind the art. You may not think visiting an art gallery or museum is high on your to do list. Think again; one suggestion that we have for you is to make the experience as personal as you possibly can. Do some research beforehand and check out the website of the gallery that you want to visit. You can often find details on what will be featured at the exhibit, and the history behind the pieces.
Here’s something cool that we discovered. Below we’ve posted an image. We found out just via the website that the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has a manuscript of Dala’il al Khayrat, one of the most celebrated works of literature in the Islamic world that sends Blessings and Praise on the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his Family (pbut). Check out this amazing recitation of a part of Da’lail al Khayrat by Shaykh Babiker Ahmad on YouTube.
- National Museums in Berlin: Museum of Islamic Art (Berlin, Germany)
- The Islamic Art Collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles, USA)
- Freer Gallery of Art: Arts of the Islamic World Collection (Washington D.C, USA)
- Victoria and Albert Museum: Islamic Middle East: The Jameel Gallery (London, England)
- MetMuseum Gallery: Islamic Art Galleries under Renovation (New York, USA)
- Benaki Museum: Islamic Art Collection (Athens, Greece)
- Louvre Department of Islamic Art: Re-opening in 2012 (Paris, France)
Hafiz Faydullah,
known as Hakkakzade (Turkey)
Manuscript of the Dala’il al-Khayrat & Map of Mecca Found Inside
(Guides to Good Things)
by al-Jazuli, A.D. 1787/A.H. 1201
Ink, opaque watercolor
and gold on paper
7 5/8 x 5 7/8 in.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Edward Binney, 3rd, Collection of Turkish Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art,
M.85.237.54
Photo © 2002 Museum Associates / LACMA
Above : Photo of The Benaki Museum of Islamic Art in Athens, Greece by Andrea Motta
