Wall Frescoes and an Oud at Quseir (small castle) Amra, Zarqa Governorate, Jordan
This is a fresco on an arch painted some 1,300 years ago. This is from the interior of one of the several so called “desert castles” that exist in Jordan, many in fairly inhospitable places…this painting of a man strumming his Oud is one of many that decorate the entire wall and ceiling interior of this well-preserved structure that was built by the Umayyad caliphate in the first years of Islam in the 8th century. During this time, the UNSECO World Heritage webpage reports that, unlike in later years, secular painting was still common in/on Islamic architecture.
You can see his Oud plectrum or "risha." It seems he is sitting and there is perhaps some kind of lap support for the instrument? Not sure...
The paintings are astounding and the stars and night sky painting on the ceiling of one room is thought to be one of the earliest depictions of the night sky constellations in the world… the structure was part of a residence and bathing facility within a greater residence/fort. It includes changing rooms, a water and wastewater system and also a very large bath (yes, the caliphate hot tub).
This fort was a caliphate winter retreat from Damascus and UNESCO calls this remaining structure a “pleasure palace.” OK… each fresco panel is riveting as are their decorative borders and it’s shocking to me that they have lasted this long in this condition and are not more damaged. To me they seem to have a Mauryan and/or Hellenistic look about them, but UNESCO says the painting influence is Byzantine… anyway, I’ll be going back to look at them longer and, of course, I continue to work on my art appreciation… :-)
Wall Frescoes and an Oud at Quseir (small castle) Amra, Zarqa Governorate, Jordan
This is a fresco on an arch painted some 1,300 years ago. This is from the interior of one of the several so called “desert castles” that exist in Jordan, many in fairly inhospitable places…this painting of a man strumming his Oud is one of many that decorate the entire wall and ceiling interior of this well-preserved structure that was built by the Umayyad caliphate in the first years of Islam in the 8th century. During this time, the UNSECO World Heritage webpage reports that, unlike in later years, secular painting was still common in/on Islamic architecture.
You can see his Oud plectrum or "risha." It seems he is sitting and there is perhaps some kind of lap support for the instrument? Not sure...
The paintings are astounding and the stars and night sky painting on the ceiling of one room is thought to be one of the earliest depictions of the night sky constellations in the world… the structure was part of a residence and bathing facility within a greater residence/fort. It includes changing rooms, a water and wastewater system and also a very large bath (yes, the caliphate hot tub).
This fort was a caliphate winter retreat from Damascus and UNESCO calls this remaining structure a “pleasure palace.” OK… each fresco panel is riveting as are their decorative borders and it’s shocking to me that they have lasted this long in this condition and are not more damaged. To me they seem to have a Mauryan and/or Hellenistic look about them, but UNESCO says the painting influence is Byzantine… anyway, I’ll be going back to look at them longer and, of course, I continue to work on my art appreciation… :-)