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If you think about it, the beautiful, intricate geometric patterns found in Islamic art and architecture represent some of art history's earliest examples of abstraction. I'm talking about patterns of shapes that are rooted in mathematical precision and created with spiritual intention. Such abstract art has been a central feature of the Islamic aesthetic since Islam's inception in the 8th century.
Geometric patterns on tiles at the beautiful Alhambra palace/fortress in Grenada, Spain. Construction of the Alhambra began in 1238.
Islamic Geometric Patterns: The Earliest Examples of Abstract Art
Circles, squares, and stars intertwine to create mesmerizing "tessellations" (a pattern of geometric shapes that fit together perfectly without gaps or overlapping). Such perfect and endlessly repeating patterns are meant to reflect divine order and evoke a sense of harmony and balance. You can find these designs in and out of mosques, palaces, and manuscripts, and their purpose is not just aesthetic—they serve as a tool of spiritual contemplation.
Islamic geometric patterns on tiles in Morocco.
The Connection Between Islamic Patterns and Modern Abstract Movements
Early Islamic artists drew inspiration from Greek, Roman, and Persian traditions. But they pushed abstraction further. In adherence to Islamic principles, Islamic artists completely rejected representational imagery. In doing so, they laid the foundation for abstraction that resonates with many modern artists and art lovers. Consider the geometric natures of "cubism" and "neoplasticism."
'Composition VII' by Piet Mondrian, 1913—an example of neoplasticism.
Islamic-Inspired Patterns in Contemporary Abstract Art
Today, Islamic geometric patterns are increasingly getting the recognition they deserve as precursors to abstract art movements. Many contemporary abstract artists (like those exhibited below) invoke geometric patterns. I find a kind of timeless elegance in this connection across centuries, where artists invoke repeated geometric shapes to celebrate a universal truth about aesthetic and spiritual harmony.
Part of a 2021 exhibition of modern geometric abstract art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Pete Stein
Founder, Galerie Stein
Montreal
Galerie Stein will be presenting more contemporary abstract expressionist artists in 2025, both virtually at GalerieStein.com and in our gallery.
Contact: Pete Stein at peter@GalerieStein.com
