In tenth-century Iraq, a group of Arab intellectuals and scholars known as the Ikhwan al-Safa began to make their intellectual mark on the society around them. A mysterious organisation, the identities of its members have never been clear. But its contribution to the intellectual thought, philosophy, art and culture of the era - and indeed subsequent ones - is evident. In the visual arts, for example, Hamdouni Alami argues that the theory of human proportions which the Ikwan al-Safa propounded (something very similar to those of da Vinci), helped shape the evolution of the philosophy of aesthetics, art and architecture in the tenth and eleventh centuries CE, in particular in Egypt under the Fatimid rulers. With its roots in Pythagorean and Neoplatonic views on the role of art and architecture, the impact of this theory of specific and precise proportion was widespread. One of the results of this extensive influence is a historic shift in the appreciation of art and architecture and their perceived role in the cultural sphere. The development of the understanding of the interplay between ethics and aesthetics resulted in a movement which emphasised more abstract and pious contemplation of art, as opposed to previous views which concentrated on the enjoyment of artistic works (such as music, song and poetry). And it is with this shift that we see the change in art forms from those devoted to supporting the Umayyad caliphs and the opulence of the Abbasids, to an art which places more emphasis on the internal concepts of 'reason' and 'spirituality'.Using the example of Fatimid art and views of architecture (including the first Fatimid mosque in al-Mahdiyya, Tunisia), Hamdouni Alami offers analysis of the debates surrounding the ethics and aesthetics of the appreciation of Islamic art and architecture from a vital time in medieval Middle Eastern history, and shows their similarity with aesthetic debates of Italian Renaissance.

In this influential interpretation of the Italian Renaissance, Burckhardt explores the political and psychological forces that marked the beginning of the modern world.

The latest book in the Enjoying Great Art series deals with a topic near and dear to most of our lives: Fathers and grandfathers. They are a part of our everyday lives. But do we think of them when we think of great art? Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of fathers in art In addition to dozens of famous and (not so famous) depictions of fathers and grandfathers throughout the years, this book includes scriptures and quotes that celebrate the importance of fathers. As with the other books in the "Enjoying Great Art" series, this one contains pictures that are appropriate for adults and children of all ages.(There is one picture of a dad and son that have just finished hunting.) All of the paintings selected for the book are child-friendly - but we aren't necessarily recommending all of the other paintings by these same artists If you and your children want to go exploring after this - please exercise caution.

Scriptures and paintings that involve water - water carriers, wells, fountains, water falls, lakes, and more: Water is an important part of our everyday life. But do we think of it when we think of great art? Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of water in art Different colors, shapes, sizes...Some where water is only a small part of the painting, some where it's the focus of the painting. Note to parents: All of the paintings selected for the books in this series are child-friendly - but we aren't necessarily recommending all of the other paintings by these same artists If you and your children want to go exploring after this - please exercise caution.

Maps and globes have been a big part of our everyday life, at least in the past. But do we think of them when we think of great art? Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of maps and globes in art In some of the paintings the globes or maps are props, in some they are wall decorations. In some they are only small parts of the painting, and in some they are more the focus of the painting. Note to parents: All of the paintings selected for the books in this series are child-friendly - but we aren't necessarily recommending all of the other paintings by these same artists If you and your children want to go exploring after this - please exercise caution.

The latest book in the "Enjoying Great Art" series takes a look at paintings of Venice across several centuries. See this wide variety of paintings of the canals, the buildings, and the people. Enjoyed by adults and students of all ages.

Some pastimes may look a bit different today than they did years ago. But as these paintings will show - some things haven't changed over the centuries. Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of pastimes in art The book consists of paintings divided into several different sections - Board Games, Winter Fun, Summer Fun, and Indoor Fun. Examine the different paintings and see the various activities - many of which remain much the same even centuries later.

This is a special book of art - one to celebrate the military - an important, but oft overlooked part of society. These paintings are all of soldiers or soldiers' gear - depicting soldiers from across the globe and down through the centuries. But they are not paintings depicting battles. Instead they are paintings that show soldiers in a variety of other activities - both in and out of camps, towns, and more.

The next book in the Enjoying Great Art series is about an usual topic for art appreciation: Necklaces may or may not be part of your day to day life. But do you think of them when you think of great art? Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of necklaces in art There are more than three dozen paintings depicted on the following pages, paintings that span more than four centuries. As might be expected, most of the necklaces are worn by women - many of them women from very high positions. Note of warning to parents/teachers - the paintings chosen for this book, as with the others in this series, are intentionally chosen to be child-friendly. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for many other paintings by some of these same artists (so please go investigating their other works cautiously )