BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Met Reopens Galleries of Islamic Art

Bible and archaeology news

This week, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York reopened 15 galleries showcasing the art and architecture of the Islamic world. The galleries, which have undergone a dramatic renovation and transformation since they were closed in 2003, trace the diversity of Islamic art and civilization across more than 1,000 years and include precious manuscripts, glass pieces, carpets, metal work and countless other objects from southern Spain to the Middle East and beyond. Among the many highlights of the renovated galleries is the Damascus room (pictured), a nearly intact 18th-century reception chamber from a wealthy Syrian residence.
According to Thomas Campbell, director of the Metropolitan Museum, the new emphasis on geographic and regional diversity helps illustrate that “the monumentality of Islam did not create a single, monolithic artistic expression, but instead connected a vast geographic expanse through centuries of change and cultural influence.”

This week, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York reopened 15 galleries showcasing the art and architecture of the Islamic world.