Lithographs from the Islamic World, Premier Photo Walk 1445

Views of Select Masjids and Monuments of Makka al-Mukarrama, al-Madina al-Munawwara and al-Muizziya al-Qahira from 1094 AH/ 1683 CE to 1314 AH/1897 CE.

From time immemorial, humans have been intrigued by the environment around them. This fascination was the driving force behind visually documenting marvels of architecture as a way to capture their essence and cherish their memories for generations to come. Today, we
can view and appreciate historically important monuments and sites due to the historical artworks that depict them.

This collection is a series of images related to
1. al-Masjid al-Haraam in Makka al-Mukarrama,
2. al-Masjid al-Nabawi in al-Madina al-Munawwara and
3. Jawami’ Fatimiyya in al-Muizziya al-Qahira and its Abwaab ‘Aaliya
(Monumental Gates).

These views were created either by the trader on his trade route, the curious traveller looking for adventure and a more lucrative livelihood, the artist on his quest to capture the unusual, the professional working for a company or the pilgrim who braved a difficult journey just to
visit the sacred places of their faith.

Encompassing various periods in time, this collection presents an artistic and historical perspective of these holy places. It also visually documents the structural and spatial evolution of these monuments over the centuries. In the latter period, professional artists
visited these sites and captured them with their drawings to add to their portfolios and further their commercial success.
Many of these sketches and drawings found their way to the printing presses in Europe where they were replicated using the initial printing techniques available. This print making process was a simple technique called lithography wherein the drawing or painting was created in
reverse on an intermediary material like a block of wood or a sheet of metal which was inked, and then the ink was transferred using pressure onto the paper. Colours if needed were added by hand. This technique enabled the creation of multiple copies which were sold or
distributed. Over time, this technique was developed further which led to finely produced artistic and detailed prints.

A brief glance through the collection will show that the initial prints were basic; lacking the aesthetic flourishes of later works by well-known professional artists. However, they contain an inherent charm and honesty of documentation which enhances their value. These are the
earliest views of these places. They are historically relevant as they often document the place as it existed, and survive as a visual reminder and documentation of the place. Today these views would not have existed had it not been for the prints which were created from the
original artworks.