Barry Wilkinson: Arch in the Blue Mosque

Artist: Barry Wilkinson
1923 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1983
Image Size: 9 by 10.75 inches
Overall Size: 11.5 by 13 inches
Medium: Water Color on Hot Press Illustration Board

Istanbul is known as the city of five hundred mosques and among these magnificent houses of worship are several that are truly works of human genius. One of the most fabulous and famous of all the mosques in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque, named for the exquisite blue tile that decorates its interior. There are 21,000 tiles in this beautiful mosque and it is said that creating them "broke the back of the Iznik potters." In decorating these tiles, great care had to be taken to observe the guidelines set down in the Koran, the book of faith for the Mahometan religion. The essence of the Mahometan faith -- which is practiced in the Blue Mosque -- is contained in the words of the Koran: There is no God but Allah, and Mahomet is His prophet." Mahomet compiled the Koran with his own additions from the Bible, Talmud and Apochryphal Gospels. The prohibition in the Koran of the use of human and animal forms in decoration and sculpture resulted in the Blue Mosque being decorated with geometrical surface figures known as arabesques. The magnificent decoration of the interior of the Blue Mosque includes a great variety of colors and materials. Many styles -- not expressly excluded by the regulations of the Koran -- are present in the Mosque's art. In the artistic achievements seen in the Blue Mosque ... and in other areas of endeavor, Turkey possesses many incredible works of human genius.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Europa CEPT stamp of Turkey issued May 5, 1983.

Artwork Copyright © 1983 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB08510

US$ Price: $950.00

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