"Islamic Art is altogether an astounding achievement: interestingly informative, accurate, balanced in coverage and judgment. It is a wonderful book for students and museum-goers who wish to get acquainted with this tradition."

--Oleg Grabar, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University

"A sumptuously illustrated, accurate, balanced and critically aware historical survey of Islamic art and architecture from the beginnings until modern times, this work...provides clear, informative treatments of architecture, pottery and tilework, textiles and carpets, painting, glass, jade, metal work, calligraphy, and the arts of the book."

--Frederick M. Denny, Religious Studies Review

"The intense blend of history and art insights makes for a volume which is scholarly and weighty, yet spellbinding. Discussions of dynasty changes, political influences on the development of Islam and Islamic art style, and transition points which fostered new Islamic art traditions accompany excellent, bright color illustrations of architectural and artistic Islamic heritage."

--Midwest Book Review

"This may well be the first book on this subject that is sensible, accessible, authoritative, thoughtfully organized--and does not require a table to support it. Islamic Art is also illustrated with remarkable finesse."

--David Nalle, American-Arab Affairs

Harvard University Press Web Site, April, 2000

From the Taj Mahal, from the Dome of the Rock to the ever evolving art of calligraphy, Barbara Brend traces the development of classic Islamic art from the seventh through the twentieth century.