State Hermitage Museum holds an exhibition on the Islamic world contacts with neighboring cultures: European and Chinese

The State Hermitage Museum holds an exhibition on the Islamic world contacts with neighboring cultures: European and Chinese. One of the aims of the exhibition - to show Islamic art in all its diversity, as presented in the Hermitage collection, as well as to demonstrate that Islamic art has never existed in isolation but is part of world culture.

The exhibition, which includes more than 300 items belonging to various countries in the Muslim world is divided into four sections.

The first section introduces the art of the emergence of Islam (VII cent.) until the Mongol invasion (XIII century).. During this period, the formation of Islamic art, using the achievements of the cultures of peoples caught in the composition of the Caliphate: Syria and Egypt, Iran Sasanidskogo.

The second section of the exhibition is devoted to the art of the Islamic world from the Mongol invasion (XIII century). until XVI century. This section focuses on China's influence increased after the invasion of the Mongols. Conqueror taken control of the immense expanses of the Volga to China, which has helped spread the Chinese masters. In Islamic art permeates a lot of Chinese stories. There is a wave of imitations Chinese silk and porcelain.

The third section presents material from various Islamic countries in XVI-XIX centuries. At that time, became the dominant European influence. Increased trade with Europe and develop a craft led to a fashion for European products. This was reflected in painting and applied arts of Islamic world.

The fourth section is devoted to the political (diplomatic and military) contacts the Islamic world and Russia. There are diplomatic gifts prepodnesennye rulers of Muslim countries, the Russian monarch, as well as trophies, captured by Russian soldiers in the wars with Turkey and Persia.

Central exhibit include Bukhara tent. The scientific staff of the Hermitage has recently been able to restore the precise shape of the tent, which is a portable house. The tent, which consists of several rooms, sheds, patio and a system of corridors, the first set of Nicholas Hall of the Winter Palace.

In addition to Bukhara tents represented at the exhibition and the other belonging to the Turkish military, and decorated with exquisite embroidery depicting parks and gardens. She was seized as a trophy by Russian troops and served for several decades in the Russian military baggage, and then in 1842 entered the Konyushennaya museum.

Of particular interest are the works of Indian art, a total of 69 items. For example, the objects belonging to famous daram Nadir Shah - masterpieces of Indian jewelry XVII-XVIII centuries. Captured this Persian ruler, and sent to St. Petersburg. Most of the specimens of Indian art, including beautiful fabrics, lartsy, metal products, on display for the first time.

first exhibited, and several original architectural details of the famous Alhambra palace complex.

In a separate group can be distinguished monuments of Dagestan village Kubachi relating primarily to the XIV century. First of all, it relieves and boilers with images of people and animals. The Art of the center is different identities, and much devoted to the works of masters of other Islamic regions.

The exhibition will run until September 17, 2008.

Source: http://hermitagemuseum.org