The Umayyad Mosque of Damascus: Art, Faith and Empire in Early Islam by Alain George

The Umayyad Mosque of Damascus: Art, Faith and Empire in Early Islam by Alain George

edited by Melanie Gibson
The Great Mosque of Damascus is an iconic monument of world architecture, and the oldest mosque still standing in something close to its original state. This book is the first in-depth study of its foundation by the Umayyad dynasty, just as the first Islamic century was drawing to a close. It anchors the foundation of the mosque in its pre-Islamic past and brings to life the commotion that followed the destruction of the church. The author Alain George explores the process whereby craftsmen and materials were gathered to build the new mosque, seeks to reconstruct its Umayyad appearance, and investigates the subtle aesthetics that underpinned its ornament. This beautifully illustrated volume is based upon extensive research on new textual and visual sources, including Umayyad court poems and rare nineteenth-century photographs.

Published October 2021 by Gingko Library