RE-OPENING OF THE FORMERLY KNOWN AS ISLAMIC GALLERIES

GALLERIES FOR THE ART OF THE ARAB LANDS, TURKEY, IRAN, CENTRAL ASIA AND LATER SOUTH ASIA at the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM

RE-OPENING OF THE FORMERLY KNOWN AS ISLAMIC GALLERIES

 

I have written about this before but this is such a major undertaking by the museum and especially by Navina Haidar, Curator of Islamic Art at the museum, with many far reaching considerations to be taken into account – it was not just an overhaul of the museum’s permanent “Islamic” collection.  According to an article in Sunday’s NYT Magazine, controversies popped up during the eight years of planning.  The museum was accused of caving in to Muslim extremists by refusing to display any images of the Prophet – but there is an image of Muhammad riding his winged steed, Buraq, on a page from an illustrated 16th century manuscript. And we should remember that it was during the reign of Akbar the Great, during the late 16th century that  Hindu-themed paintings were commissioned by this Muslim ruler. There was tolerance then. 

 I have only seen photos and a lay-out of the  different galleries and cannot wait to see them in person. In the meantime, we can dream about them – with names like The Damascus Room, Nishapur and the Sabz-Pushan site,  Moroccan Court,  and Carpets and Textiles of the Greater Ottoman  World.

 

 

ART OF THE ARAB LANDS

ART OF THE ARAB LANDS NEWLY NAMED GALLERIES OPENING AT THE MET NOVEMBER 1st 15 galleries, 1,200 works of art, spanning 13 centuries – all in the galleries now named ART OF THE ARAB LANDS including Turkey, Iran, Central Asia and Later South Asia, stretching from the culture of Moorish Spain to that of the Mughal in India. I read that the items have been arranged chronologically and with great sensitivity – a mihrab or prayer niche from a 14th century mosque has been oriented so that it faces east. I hope to see the galleries in the near future.