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Mariam Nihal
Saudi Gazette
Designed by one of the world’s best architects I. M. Pei, the Museum of Islamic Art is located on an exclusive island by the corniche in Doha. The stunning collection spanning 1,400 years, dating from the 7th to the 19th century, is a mixture of secular and religious worlds from three continents.
The museum hosts a program of exhibitions and workshops throughout the year and has a dedicated library open to students and public permanently.
The iconic five-storey structure includes a gift shop, classrooms, a cafe and restaurant, along with a library and a 200-seat theater. The vast collection includes original manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, metal work and paintings from over thousands of years. A few of the marvels include a key of the Kaabah, transcripts like the first part (Juz’) of a Qur’an in the Sini muhaqqaq script, a type of muhaqqaq used in China that features vocalization and diacritics, a page from the Persian Shahnameh or ‘Book of Kings’, jewelry belonging to the Mughal emperors in India among many more.
The museum is influenced by ancient Islamic architecture, notably the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo and was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Pei, at the age of 91 when he announced retirement.
The current exhibition focuses on Qajar women during the Qajar period in Iran from 1785-1925. Along with photographs and other artworks, the exhibition explores the meaning of beauty and its image for women during that era. One of the paintings on display is an oil painting on canvas featuring a female musician playing the târ, another two illustrations feature scenes from the tragic love story of Shirin and Farhad, while the other photographs of Qajar women show new methods adopted under the rule of Nasir al-Din Shah, who ruled 1848 to 1896. An interesting fact is that Nasir al-Din Shah preferred women who were bulky, had facial hair and the complete opposite of what Vogue women look like today. Women used makeup for completely different reasons during his era. Make up was used to draw a mustache and join their eyebrows.The exhibition runs till June 11. For upcoming exhibitions log on to their website for a full list of programs and updates.
Website http://www.mia.org.qa/
Number +974 4422 4444
