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Islamic Geometric Patterns [With CDROM]

Eric Broug

4.33 · Rating details · 152 ratings · 15 reviews

The marvels of Islamic patterns the most recognizable visual expression of Islamic art and architecture are not just a beautiful accident. The ancient practitioners of this craft used traditional methods of measurement to create dazzling geometric compositions, often based on the repetition of a single pattern. The results are magnificent in their beauty and awe-inspiring ...more

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Paperback, 119 pages

Published June 1st 2008 by Thames & Hudson (first published May 12th 2008)

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· 152 ratings · 15 reviews

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Jul 08, 2017 Asmaa rated it it was amazing

I absolutely enjoyed this book.

Islamic geometry is not an easy thing (one can call it a science). It takes special understanding of math and patterns to be able to make geometrical shapes. This book is a good introduction for that.

It has almost 20 patterns from all over the Islamic world, starting from easy to difficult according to how complicated the pattern is, with a short intro on where this pattern can be found and a step-by-step on how to draw it. The steps are pretty easy to follow, an ...more

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Jan 28, 2018 طارق (Tarek) rated it it was ok

Shelves: architecture, art

I was told by an expert on Islamic geometric art that Eric Broug's work contains many mistakes. I didn't think much of the comment, and have attended 3 of his lectures and workshops since then, and purchased this book at one of those workshops.

Unfortunately, I've discovered problems with the work myself. Look at the pattern on page 55 - the Alhambra alicatado. Then look at an actual photograph of the pattern. They aren't the same at all. Broug's construction is mirrored and slanted from the orig I was told by an expert on Islamic geometric art that Eric Broug's work contains many mistakes. I didn't think much of the comment, and have attended 3 of his lectures and workshops since then, and purchased this book at one of those workshops.

Unfortunately, I've discovered problems with the work myself. Look at the pattern on page 55 - the Alhambra alicatado. Then look at an actual photograph of the pattern. They aren't the same at all. Broug's construction is mirrored and slanted from the original, and doesn't even the resolve the centres. This is a glaring mistake. The real pattern doesn't even tile on a pointed hexagon like in his drawing, it tiles on a flat hexagon.

The concept of the book is great, but I feel that Broug has simplified many of the patterns to make the steps shorter and fewer. As others have pointed out, he treats the designs as single motifs and has only chosen patterns that tile with squares and hexagons. There are actually far more difficult patterns out there that tile with a mixture of rotated squares and hexagons and rhombi. This means that the entire book is actually easy level. I don't know whether all of these patterns truly tesselate in simple grids as he's done, or whether he has simplified the tiling. However, from my experience, patterns often tesselate with interstitial shapes in between the hexagons and squares. He leaves this aspect of the geometric art out of the book entirely and never discusses it.

The best thing about the book really is 'Chapter 1: the Basics' where he explains to beginners the construction techniques behind square, hexagonal, and pentagonal patterns. This is a valuable introduction since so many other authors skip this and go straight into specific patterns. However, I find his simplification of the patterns and the existence of glaring mistakes like the Alhambra pattern to be sloppy and insulting to the artists and craftsmen who first designed these patterns. If you can't get the pattern right in this 8-step format, then perhaps the format is just wrong.

I will update the review as I find more mistakes. ...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Janine rated it liked it

Yes this book will assist you to learn to construct Islamic patterns. However be aware it does not provide any photos of the patterns themselves in situ, only the authors line drawings(so dont be misled by the cover pic). It treats each pattern as a stand alone design "motif" (authors word) which is repeated within a grid by use of a stencil to create a pattern. As a lot of these patterns were, centuries ago, first drawn then created by producing specially made tiles that were laid on site withi ...more

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Jan 31, 2014 Ruwaida rated it it was amazing

So wonderful, highly recommend it for anyone want to learn how to draw the geometric patterns - it's for beginners though - ...more

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Feb 04, 2013 Kira rated it really liked it

Shelves: artsy-stuff, own

Step-by-step instructions on how to construct common patterns. Wide variety and easy to follow.

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Apr 19, 2020 Bastou rated it it was ok

Shelves: geometry

A few of these patterns have flaws.

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Sep 17, 2017 Julia Kulgavchuk rated it it was amazing

Shelves: design

An excellent step by step guide on drawing islamic patterns. A very well made book, as usual for Thames & Hudson.

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Dec 21, 2020 hamna added it

Shelves: islam, non-fiction

read this in turkish so i missed a few things, obviously, so i can’t wait to reread when i find an english copy!:)

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Apr 25, 2019 Natalie Joy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: textile-arts

A beautiful sourcebook, with good instructions to draw each of the patterns represented

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Nov 04, 2013 Davoud Taghavi rated it it was amazing

Brilliantly done and is possibly the best out there in terms of instruction. It could have had more designs for the price of the book. Maybe the second of Broug's books on the subject is meant to include more designs he chose to omit in this first one. ...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Wilson Cotton rated it it was amazing

This is a wonderful introduction to Islamic geometry. Clear instructions are given on how to create both simple and complex designs using pencil, rule and compasses. Skills are soon mastered and the creation of shapes and patterns becomes a wholly absorbing occupation.

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