Booklub | Islamic Art and Architecture: From Isfahan to the Taj Mahal

Our second GSA Booklub session featured Ravindra Patnayaka, Associate Professor, GSA, who explored Henri Stierlin’s Islamic Art and Architecture: From Isfahan to the Taj Mahal through a visual journey across the richness of Islamic architectural traditions.

The discussion traced the ‘intricacy in detailing’ across the thoughtful ornamentation upon the magical surfaces of built structures in Islamic architecture, reflecting on the interplay of geometry, symmetry, spiritual symbolism and spatial composition. Through Stierlin’s work, the session offered an opportunity to consider how architecture expresses cultural identities, artistic sensibilities, and the ideas that shape built environments.

An evening of visual exploration, shared insights, and conversation on the enduring language of Islamic art and architecture.