How Muslim Art Challenges The Dark Ages Myth (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary)

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Along with Christianity, the Dark Ages saw the emergence of another religion — Islam. After emerging in the Near East, it spread across North Africa and into Europe in such a short time that there was originally no art. In more settled times, highly decorated mosques began to be built based on the prophet Mohammad's own home. Their architectural and scientific achievements, including the mapping of the stars, dwarfed anything existing in the western world.

Januszczak visits the Dome of the Rock, desert palaces forgotten by modern Islam with their more sensual artwork, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun where it was believed Noah's Ark landed, and the Mosque of Cordoba. He identifies the Nilometer used to measure the flood of the Nile and uses an astrolabe that Muslims used to find the direction of Mecca.

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From The Dark Ages: An Age of Light

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[jamesyanushka]

I've watched most of these multiple times and am so dumbfounded how entertaining and informative he is, and not behind a pay wall! This is the way it should be. Sharing your knowledge many people love and enjoy yet many could not afford otherwise. It spreads the love of art amongst the world. Thanks!!!

[sharonkaczorowski]

When I watch these documentaries I am often reminded how lucky I was as a child of the 50s. My father, a scientist and artist, and my mother loved art and used their small amount of disposable income to buy books of all kinds, but art was their passion. Their art books included Indian, Persian, Islamic, & early medieval art. I was allowed to look at them as much as I wanted as long as I treated the books with respect.

[magentaorchids]

Waldy is my favorite documentary maker ever
I am addicted to his work
He deserves recognition from the world for his exceptional well researched work
You are best at what you do
Hope history will do you justice and remember you as one of the best to document it accurately without bias

[valarieart]

I am thankful to have discovered this series during quarantine. I feel as if I am vacationing with Dr. Januszczak, my private tour guide, in every episode. I only wish they would be listed in the order of which he speaks.

[StephiSensei]

It's impossible to be sated from Waldemar's programs. There's always more to learn, and the appetite just grows. As one toddles around with him, from one eye-popping experience to the next, Waldemar the Cherub-Art Critic-Analyst-PHD- Enthusiast, one is left completely agog with exciting information. With wonderful teachers like Waldemar, you can almost scent the faint wafting aroma of fried brains in the air. Fabulous! Love it! May I have some more please?

[peterduncan]

It was the Dark Ages for the West not Islam.

[zakuro]

I was in Cordoba a few years ago, and the mosque-cathedral was undeniably the crown jewel in its beauty and imposing architecture, but I was even more taken with the dozens of fountains and other small-scale architectural curiosities that I saw while on a morning walk around the city. I still think it was maybe the most beautiful place I've ever been to

[sabrinam]

I'm very happy that such content is available freely on YouTube, your channel is a gold mine.

[Raiden]

1:41 - how does the astrolabe work
4:25 - Himalayas formed natural border north of india isolating them from their neighbors
8:03 - King solomon (sulaiman) & Herod
9:53 - Prophet Ibrahim
10:01 - Arc of the covenant
29:25 - Mehrab origin (imaam spot)
34:54 - Nilometer
36:22 - Alfra Ganus
39:57 - Arabesques meaning
44:46 - Bawerhaus
49:44 - Talismanic
52:52 - Visigoth
58:08 - difference between sextant and astrolabe

[MrDJdo]

The David Attenborough of art his documentaries are so captivating

[sitahsinrva]

Ive wanted something like this to come out, my favourite class was Eastern Art History growing up.

[antagonicohoy]

woww admiro el trabajo de Waldemar Januszczak !!! es completamente admirable, profundo, divertido, educativo, rompe-mitos, iluminador, placentero, ameno, ilustrativo, una maravilla de cultura y una obra maestra de pedagogia, asi, con la obra frente a tus ojos, una imagen habla mas que mil palabras, un buen documental como todos los de Waldemar hablan más de 1, 000, 000, te iluminan, y se hace la luz de la razón y la belleza. gracias a Perspective por estos maravillosos documentales. ( que bueno que existe google translate, decenas y decenas de palabras nuevas en ingles). Saludos desde México.

[_helmi]

As a Muslim, I learned a lot about my religion through others. And learning was something that Muhammad pbuh was asked to do when Gabriel came down and said "Read!" to the Prophet. In that very context, many of the early scholars were inspired by the words of God. Quranic inscriptions were everywhere as shown in the video.

The Dome of Rock and the Great Mosque of Kairouan are the perfect examples of what Islam shall be - the religion that superseded the previous ones and instead of saying "Fuck you, Christians, Jews etc.", what Islam does was bringing together everyone in unity. And unity is holy. Just because having Roman pillars and crosses inside the mosque, it does make the site less holy. See and recognise the values it brought.

[sharonkaczorowski]

I had hoped to see many of these places when I retired, but became quite I’ll before that happened. These wonderful videos give me a way to see so much beauty.

[DelightLovesMovies]

Waldemar makes the best documentaries about art and art history.

[outlandishyute]

Islam is the most logical, practical and most just religion in my humble opinion. 💯💔🇸🇴

[rosebud]

This is a great Art series. Thank you for the great insights information appreciation etc etc you give.
Are you going to do a series on Asian art? Chinese art and architecture? Korean etc? that would be great thanks.

[melanieohara]

Divine Mathematics—what a super concept, Waldy! Thanks again.❇️

[charlesfrederick]

Fantastic! THANK you SO much for this Valentine morning's treat! Kudos!

[gems]

A delightful insight into the journey of collective spiritual aspirations during the dark ages, lifting the veil of dogma through art makes history that much more human and colorful, thank you.