Islamic world upA hilya, a decorated description of Muhammad’s physical appearamce, painted by Hâfiz Osman (1642–1698) . Islam’s sometimes negative view of figurative art has led to the proliferation of complex abstract artistic expression across the Islamic world. Abstract Islamic art is nearly as old as Islam itself, and some of the oldest examples of it can be found on such early buildings as the Dome of the Rock. Islamic abstract  art traditionally revolves around calligraphy, tessellating geometric patterns, and floral motifs called arabesques. These elements can be found in all Islamic applied arts, including architecture, rugmaking, pottery, glassmaking, and metalwork, as well as decorating the borders of otherwise figurative paintings.
Islamic world upA hilya, a decorated description of Muhammad’s physical appearance, dating to the 19th century . Islam’s sometimes negative view of figurative art has led to the proliferation of complex abstract artistic expression across the Islamic world. Abstract Islamic art is nearly as old as Islam itself, and some of the oldest examples of it can be found on such early buildings as the Dome of the Rock. While Islamic art may have reservations about painting humans and animals, it does not, however, feel the same about plants and inanimate objects, which are allowed by even the strictest of jurists. Therefore, only some Islamic art may be considered abstract. Islamic art traditionally revolves around calligraphy, tessellating geometric patterns, and vegetal motifs called arabesques. These elements can be found in all Islamic applied arts, including architecture, rugmaking, pottery, glassmaking, and metalwork, as well as decorating the borders of otherwise figurative paintings.
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appearamce, painted by Hâfiz Osman (1642–1698)
appearance, dating to the 19th century
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Islamic abstract
While Islamic art may have reservations about painting humans and animals, it does not, however, feel the same about plants and inanimate objects, which are allowed by even the strictest of jurists. Therefore, only some Islamic art may be considered abstract.
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Islamic
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floral
vegetal