Islamic Art and Visual Culture is a collection of primary sources in translation accompanied by clear and concise introductory essays that provide unique insights into the aesthetic and cultural history of one of the world's major religions.

• Collects essential translations from sources as diverse as the Qur'an, court chronicles, technical treatises on calligraphy and painting, imperial memoirs, and foreign travel accounts
• Includes clear and concise introductory essays
• Situates each text and explains the circumstances in which it was written--the date, place, author, and political conditions
• Provides a vivid window into Islamic visual culture and society
• An indispensable tool for teachers and students of art and visual culture