TRADITIONAL PROFESSIONS DURING THE ABBASID CALIPHATE: A STUDY BASED ON AL-WASITI’S MINIATURES THAT ILLUSTRATED AL-HARIRI’S MAQAMAT
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ejars.2025.471809
pages: 371-381
Bani Milhem, O., Al-Masri, E., Al Dwairi, I., Ayesh, S. & Sub-Laban, K.
Art Education dept., Faculty of Educational Sciences, The Hashemite Univ., Zarqa, Jordan.
Abstract:
Al-Hariri’s Maqamat, widely regarded as one of the most celebrated works in Arabic lite-rature, has inspired numerous artists to create miniatures that depict and interpret its stories and events. Among these artists, Yahya al-Wasiti stands out for his exceptional miniatures, which not only visually narrate the tales within the Maqamat but also illuminate various aspects of Abbasid society. While much scholarly attention has been given to al-Wasiti’s artistic style and thematic elements, the representation of traditional professions in his miniatures remains underexplored. This study examines a wide range of fields to demonstrate the significance of these jobs as both economic activities and cultural symbols, reflecting the values of Abbasid society. In addition, the study stresses the beauty and historical importance of al-Wasiti's miniatu-res, which paint a vivid picture of everyday life and the culture of the Abbasid era. Al-Wasiti’s intricate and dynamic compositions not only highlight the economic roles of these professions but also situate them within broader cultural and social contexts. This study examines a wide range of fields to demonstrate the significance of these jobs as both economic activities and cultural symbols, reflecting the values of Abbasid society. Moreover, the research underscores the aesthetic and historical significance of al-Wasiti’s miniatures, which provide a vivid visual documentation of the daily life and cultural ambiance of the Abbasid era. This paper adds to the history of Islamic art by looking at these representations. It also broadens the field of cultural studies by showing how art, economy, and society interacted during the Islamic Golden Age.
Keywords:
Islamic art Maqamat al-Hariri al-Wasiti miniatures traditional professions Abbasid caliphate
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