Study day: The rise of Islam and the life of the Prophet in art
In this study day we will learn about the Prophet Muhammad, his life in 7th century Mecca and Medina, and the foundation of the formative constitution of Islam. The story of his life and revelations will be illustrated with artwork from iconic manuscripts made in the 14th - 16th centuries under Muslim rulers of the Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid and Ottoman Dynasties.
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This course may contain content that some learners may find of a sensitive or challenging nature: some of the images used to illustrate the presentations contain visionary historical depictions of the Prophet [peace be upon him] made for Medieval Muslim rulers. This is an important aspect of Islamic art history, and no disrespect is intended.
This study day is an introduction to the rise of Islam, offering an essential foundational understanding for anyone interested in undertaking further studies of Islamic Art History. The life of
the Prophet Muhammad is well documented, and it is from the revelations imparted to him from God via Jibreel (the Angel Gabriel) during his lifetime that we have the Qur’an. The revelations were recorded word-for-word by Companions of the Prophet, then collected together and collated after his death in 632 CE.
In addition, we have a core body of writings known as the Hadith, which include accounts of the Prophet’s life and wisdom by those in his inner circle. During the centuries following the Prophet’s death, the Hadith formed the basis of theological debate and the development of the main schools of Islamic jurisdiction. The material was also referenced by scholars and visionary poets down the ages, giving us a magnificent collection of Sufi poetry and literature that inspired the patronage of some of the most powerful and wealthy rulers of Islamic dynasties of the late Medieval and Early Modern period.
Masterpieces of the Islamic book abounded during the 14th - 16th century, a period contemporary with the Renaissance in Christan Europe. Created in royal ateliers, they display the finest design, with masters of calligraphy, illumination, and illustration collaborating to create copies of Islamic history and Sufi literature for their Muslim patrons. It is from these rich sources that we will tell the stories of the life of the Prophet, his revelations, and the wisdom of Islam.
What will we cover?
The life of the Prophet Muhammad and the rise of Islam.
Documentation of the life of the Prophet and theological scholarship under the early Caliphs.
Islamic histories and Sufi literature under the patronage of Medieval Muslim rulers.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Describe key events in the life of the Prophet Muhammad
Give examples of the ideological basis of Islamic Art History
Name some Medieval authors of visionary Sufi literature
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Origins of Islamic Art and Architecture: The Early Caliphates, 661 - 1258 CE.
Arts of Medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks
Anita Chowdry is a London based visual artist, educator and researcher. Her particular interest is in the arts of the Islamic World and South Asia, and the materials and processes that went into them. She has an M.A. in Art and Science from Central Saint Martin’s UAL, and is currently engaged in the codicological study of a group of 15th Century Turcoman manuscripts at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Anita has over 30 years’ experience teaching art and process to adults and professional groups, covering major institutions in the UK and abroad.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/study-day-the-rise-of-islam-and-the-life-of-the-prophet-in-art3048790Study day: The rise of Islam and the life of the Prophet in arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/study-day-the-rise-of-islam-and-the-life-of-the-prophet-in-art-vb314-1200.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world22851136117719041228511771136<p>In this study day we will learn about the Prophet Muhammad, his life in 7th century Mecca and Medina, and the foundation of the formative constitution of Islam. The story of his life and revelations will be illustrated with artwork from iconic manuscripts made in the 14th - 16th centuries under Muslim rulers of the Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid and Ottoman Dynasties.</p>003048778Study day: The rise of Islam and the life of the Prophet in art7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/study-day-the-rise-of-islam-and-the-life-of-the-prophet-in-art-vb314-1200_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-09-27T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB3147979Study day: The rise of Islam and the life of the Prophet in art797979Anita Chowdrystudy-day-the-rise-of-islam-and-the-life-of-the-prophet-in-art/vb314-2627<p>In this study day we will learn about the Prophet Muhammad, his life in 7th century Mecca and Medina, and the foundation of the formative constitution of Islam. The story of his life and revelations will be illustrated with artwork from iconic manuscripts made in the 14th - 16th centuries under Muslim rulers of the Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid and Ottoman Dynasties.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-27 00:00:00<p>This course may contain content that some learners may find of a sensitive or challenging nature: some of the images used to illustrate the presentations contain visionary historical depictions of the Prophet [peace be upon him] made for Medieval Muslim rulers. This is an important aspect of Islamic art history, and no disrespect is intended.</p><p>This study day is an introduction to the rise of Islam, offering an essential foundational understanding for anyone interested in undertaking further studies of Islamic Art History. The life of</p><p>the Prophet Muhammad is well documented, and it is from the revelations imparted to him from God via Jibreel (the Angel Gabriel) during his lifetime that we have the Qur’an. The revelations were recorded word-for-word by Companions of the Prophet, then collected together and collated after his death in 632 CE.</p><p>In addition, we have a core body of writings known as the Hadith, which include accounts of the Prophet’s life and wisdom by those in his inner circle. During the centuries following the Prophet’s death, the Hadith formed the basis of theological debate and the development of the main schools of Islamic jurisdiction. The material was also referenced by scholars and visionary poets down the ages, giving us a magnificent collection of Sufi poetry and literature that inspired the patronage of some of the most powerful and wealthy rulers of Islamic dynasties of the late Medieval and Early Modern period.</p><p>Masterpieces of the Islamic book abounded during the 14th - 16th century, a period contemporary with the Renaissance in Christan Europe. Created in royal ateliers, they display the finest design, with masters of calligraphy, illumination, and illustration collaborating to create copies of Islamic history and Sufi literature for their Muslim patrons. It is from these rich sources that we will tell the stories of the life of the Prophet, his revelations, and the wisdom of Islam.</p><p>In this study day we will learn about the Prophet Muhammad, his life in 7th century Mecca and Medina, and the foundation of the formative constitution of Islam. The story of his life and revelations will be illustrated with artwork from iconic manuscripts made in the 14th - 16th centuries under Muslim rulers of the Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid and Ottoman Dynasties.</p><ul><li>The life of the Prophet Muhammad and the rise of Islam.</li><li>Documentation of the life of the Prophet and theological scholarship under the early Caliphs.</li><li>Islamic histories and Sufi literature under the patronage of Medieval Muslim rulers.</li></ul><ul><li>Describe key events in the life of the Prophet Muhammad</li><li>Give examples of the ideological basis of Islamic Art History</li><li>Name some Medieval authors of visionary Sufi literature</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.</p><p>You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.</p><p>Origins of Islamic Art and Architecture: The Early Caliphates, 661 - 1258 CE.</p><p>Arts of Medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks</p><p>Study Day: The Art of the Qur’an</p><p>Islamic art at the British Museum</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldvirtual797979VB314NONESun27/09/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetAnita ChowdryBeginnersAvailable courses2026-09-27T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities7979Study day: The rise of Islam and the life of the Prophet in artstudy-day-the-rise-of-islam-and-the-life-of-the-prophet-in-art/vb314-2627<p>In this study day we will learn about the Prophet Muhammad, his life in 7th century Mecca and Medina, and the foundation of the formative constitution of Islam. The story of his life and revelations will be illustrated with artwork from iconic manuscripts made in the 14th - 16th centuries under Muslim rulers of the Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid and Ottoman Dynasties.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-27 00:00:00<p>This course may contain content that some learners may find of a sensitive or challenging nature: some of the images used to illustrate the presentations contain visionary historical depictions of the Prophet [peace be upon him] made for Medieval Muslim rulers. This is an important aspect of Islamic art history, and no disrespect is intended.</p><p>This study day is an introduction to the rise of Islam, offering an essential foundational understanding for anyone interested in undertaking further studies of Islamic Art History. The life of</p><p>the Prophet Muhammad is well documented, and it is from the revelations imparted to him from God via Jibreel (the Angel Gabriel) during his lifetime that we have the Qur’an. The revelations were recorded word-for-word by Companions of the Prophet, then collected together and collated after his death in 632 CE.</p><p>In addition, we have a core body of writings known as the Hadith, which include accounts of the Prophet’s life and wisdom by those in his inner circle. During the centuries following the Prophet’s death, the Hadith formed the basis of theological debate and the development of the main schools of Islamic jurisdiction. The material was also referenced by scholars and visionary poets down the ages, giving us a magnificent collection of Sufi poetry and literature that inspired the patronage of some of the most powerful and wealthy rulers of Islamic dynasties of the late Medieval and Early Modern period.</p><p>Masterpieces of the Islamic book abounded during the 14th - 16th century, a period contemporary with the Renaissance in Christan Europe. Created in royal ateliers, they display the finest design, with masters of calligraphy, illumination, and illustration collaborating to create copies of Islamic history and Sufi literature for their Muslim patrons. It is from these rich sources that we will tell the stories of the life of the Prophet, his revelations, and the wisdom of Islam.</p><p>In this study day we will learn about the Prophet Muhammad, his life in 7th century Mecca and Medina, and the foundation of the formative constitution of Islam. The story of his life and revelations will be illustrated with artwork from iconic manuscripts made in the 14th - 16th centuries under Muslim rulers of the Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid and Ottoman Dynasties.</p><ul><li>The life of the Prophet Muhammad and the rise of Islam.</li><li>Documentation of the life of the Prophet and theological scholarship under the early Caliphs.</li><li>Islamic histories and Sufi literature under the patronage of Medieval Muslim rulers.</li></ul><ul><li>Describe key events in the life of the Prophet Muhammad</li><li>Give examples of the ideological basis of Islamic Art History</li><li>Name some Medieval authors of visionary Sufi literature</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.</p><p>You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.</p><p>Origins of Islamic Art and Architecture: The Early Caliphates, 661 - 1258 CE.</p><p>Arts of Medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks</p><p>Study Day: The Art of the Qur’an</p><p>Islamic art at the British Museum</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldconfigurable
19041136Ancient & medieval worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/ancient-medieval-world1/2/285/1177/1136/19041/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world
