ARTH 472 Forbidden Images? (Not offered 2006-2007)*
Islam forbids the depiction of the human figure, right? Wrong. There is actually
a long and rich tradition of figural imagery, particularly in Iran, Afghanistan and
India. Many of those images occur in the context of Persian manuscripts, but the
introduction of photography generated new possibilities and controversies. This
seminar, designed to complement two important exhibitions at WCMA, will explore the history of Muslim image making and related questions about representation, iconoclasm, and power in the Islamic world.
Format: seminar. Requirements: students will have access to original materials
and they will be expected to produce a major term project.
Prerequisites: ArtH 101-102. Enrollment limit: 12.
Satisfies the non-western requirement.