Islamic Art: The Mastery of Geometry

This hands-on course will teach you how to construct the geometric shapes that have played a dominant role in Islamic art and design over the centuries. With a compass and ruler, you will learn how to create the circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, and their segments that underpin the non-figural decoration of both objects and structures in Islamic art. Each class will begin with a lecture on the history and geometric principles of a particular pattern, followed by a step-by-step tutorial in constructing the design. Visits to the Islamic Art galleries at the Art Institute of Chicago museum focusing on pieces currently on display will act as a source for inspiration and discussion. Islamic Art: The Mastery of Geometry meets for six five-hour class sessions, February 1-March 7.