During my visits to the British Museum this last week, there were a couple times that I was struck with how much history we have exemplified by rooms filled with categorized items which, of course, only make a small sampling of all physical evidence we now have of the course of history. I was also thinking how much of our historical knowledge is derived from artistic expression— paintings, sculptures, literature, clothing, architecture, music, etc. Obvious thoughts, perhaps, that have occurred to me before, but one of those ideas that has more depth to it when standing in a room with shelves upon shelves of books, artwork, sculptures, and cataloged history.
I also went and checked out the Shah ‘Abbas exhibit. I always enjoy Islamic calligraphy and was glad that BYU had such a great exhibit a few years ago. I’m drawn to the attention to detail and the beauty of letterforms intertwining and used not only for their verbal meaning, but for the design of the shapes. I had to be amazed at the detail achieved in the small format of the paintings also.
Good thing to be able to visit repeatedly. Last trip out this way, the one visit I had to museum was marked by being so tired from jet lag that somehow I managed to view the Egyptian collection and miss the Rosetta Stone.
I only had the chance to spend a bit of time at the British Museum when on a lunch break from a work trip. It’s an awesome museum! I’d love to spend more time there myself.
I saw a TV show the other day, one of those “Rick Steves Travels” series where he visited Iran. Ancient Persia has a lot of unique artwork styles – I’d love to visit there someday to see first-hand for myself.
Enjoy your visits!
London a great place. I really want to go back for the same reason not enough time. There is so much to that city its amazing.
Pretty much why I’m here, guys. I didn’t get to spend enough time here last time. A week into the little adventure, and I’m already tangibly realizing that I’m going to miss things again, of course.
True point, Brad. There’s a lot of Islamic and Central Asian art and architecture that is truly unique and fascinating. Off the beaten path for most of us, and it’d definitely be an experience to get that direction.