In many ways much of early Medieval art was similar to the abstract and decorative art that we find in Islamic examples. An example that has been chosen to represent this early period of European art is the Gerona Bible Master from Bologna, Italy,
Figure 3.
(Source: http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/m/middleages.html)
This decorative example displays intricate artwork that emphasizes and enhances the Biblical context. The text or lyrics on the page refers to hymnal and religious phrases of praise, such as "Let us rejoice" (Art: Middle Ages). Note the way that the decorative images add depth to the aesthetics of the script and the manuscript as a whole.
Another good example from this period is the Lindisfarne Gospels.
Figure 4. Lindisfarne Gospels
(http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/hightours/lindgosp/large17328.html)
The Lindisfarne Gospels is described as "…one of Britain's greatest art treasures, and was probably made on Holy Island in Northumbria (North-East England), in the late seventh or early eighth century" ( The Lindisfarne Gospels Tour). This exquisitely designed and painted manuscript "…contains the oldest surviving translation of the Gospels into English" ( The Lindisfarne Gospels Tour).
The resemblance between this work and the style of many Islamic artworks is obvious from the above discussion. Both show the same decorative embellishments of the religious text that acts as a support for the religious or spiritual message.
However it is also true that one cannot make overarching and definitive generalizations about a period of art. For example, we often find figurative elements in both Islamic and Medieval artworks. An example would be The Battle of Kay Khusraw and Afrasiyab, by Persian artist Salik ibn Sa'id ( 1493-1494 AD).
Figure 5. The Battle of Kay Khusraw and Afrasiyab
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/34/Iran%2C_Battle_Between_Kay_Khusraw_and_Afrasiyab%2C_by_Salik_b._Sa%27id%2C_1493-1494_AD.jpg)
In general, while Islamic art is characterized...
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