Critical Evaluation of the Sources in Regional Studies of the Modern and Contemporary Art in the Islamic World

Abstract

In this article, the most important books on modern and contemporary art in Islamic lands were examined; these studies were divided into five categories: first, the books that studied the art of this region under the concept of “modern / contemporary Islamic art”, second, the books that studied under the title of “Middle Eastern Art”. Third, books that have followed Islamic art under the title “Arab Art”. Fourth, books that studied the Islamic art under nationalist narratives such as Iran, Arab, or Turkey art, and fifth, books under more general headings such as “Islamic Visual Culture” or Image Policy in Islamic Countries have been studied. Examining these resources is for three reasons: First, it enables researchers to compare approaches and methods in regional studies of Islamic art. Second, unfortunately, in Iran, there is not enough knowledge of the art of neighbors and other Islamic countries; therefore, reviewing the sources of regional art studies enables researchers to get acquainted with the most important sources and researchers in regional studies of art in Islamic countries. Third, by critically evaluating sixty important books in the study of modern and contemporary art in Islamic lands, we do emphasize the aspects that studies less than other aspects in this field were studied, and show the contribution of Iranian researchers in the regional studies of Islamic art.