Classical Art of Islamic World Exhibition at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

The Classical Art of Islamic World exhibition

The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Private Collections section, has opened the Classical Art of Islamic World exhibition, featuring a hundred pieces of art from Mardjani foundation that provides support and develops research and cultural projects.

To be more precise, the exact number of the items is 99 corresponding to the 99 holy names of the Almighty that Muslims recite in their prayers. The exhibition covers the IX-XIX centuries, mapping from Turkey to China. Of course, this is only a part of the collection, though it is the best part. Experts define this collection as the most significant private collection on this subject in Russia and second best collection in its quality and comprehensiveness after the State Hermitage Museum Oriental Section.

Although Mardjani collection covers almost all types of art, experts believe that textile and calligraphy are its strongest points. Indeed, one of its gems is 11 pages from the Holy Koran, published in Iran in mid-XVth century on colour paper (violet, rose, light-blue). This is the only sample of the main Holy Scripture of Islam containing images of living beings, e.g. birds. By the way this most rare masterpiece, as well as other books and miniatures, requires most delicate treatment. That’s why after the 3 month exhibition they will be «resting» in the museum’s storerooms for the next 3 years.

Logically, most of the exposition is dedicated to Koran — not only the Book’s design, but also quotations therefrom, spiritual leaders" dictums, imprinted and inscribed on many everyday things — ceramics, carved stone panels, carpets, bronze vessels. Thus, one of the Iranian goblets is decorated with a calligraphic aphorism which reads: «Avarice is a manifestation of poverty». Using such utensils, a good Muslim should always keep in mind Koran’s commandments.