The Islamic law forbids the artist to draw a living being, since it is a function exclusively reserved for God.
This restriction was not observed in some regions, for example, the Mughal Empire. And today it is hardly followed. But back then, when it all started, it was strictly observed and this gave rise to a new style of art in itself. Defined by ribbon-like flowing letters of Arabic, intricate work with stones, natural colours and marbles, the traditional Islamic art beats every cultural...

Doris Duke (1912-1993) was a wealthy American heiress, philanthropist, horticulturalist and art collector. The only child of tobacco and energy magnate James Buchanan Duke, she was shrewd, independent, and mingled with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Onassis. Her father's passing when she was just 12 years old thus made her the "richest girl in the world."

She...

[CENTER][FONT=Lucida Sans Unicode][SIZE=4][B][U]The Byzantine, Islamic and African Empire[/U][/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/CENTER]



[LEFT][FONT=Lucida Sans Unicode]We know that the period did not begin well. In much of the world, the early part of the Middle Ages was a dark and dangerous time. In Europe, barbarian tribes stormed the former Roman Empire. In Arabia, nomadic clans warred with each other. In Africa, warriors fought for dominance. In the east, China's ounce-powerful...