Muslim Empires in the Age of Steam & Print

The last five hundred years of world history have brought increased global interconnectedness through a range of technological, economic, political, and cultural processes. European civilizations are often positioned as the primary engines of these developments, resulting in a skewed and imbalanced historical narrative. However, powerful multiethnic and multilingual Muslim empires spanning three continents – Africa, Asia, and Europe- were also engines of significant change. In partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this program explores the histories, legacies, and artistic contributions of global Muslim communities in the age of empire, steam and print. A scholar overview (including Ottoman and Safavid content) will ground our discussion. Then, using a range of objects in the Museum’s collection, we will explore the proliferation of art and material culture emanating from these global communities and others. Throughout this program, which includes tours of the MFA’s galleries, Dr. Nadirah Mansour, the Museum’s Assistant Curator of Islamic Art will lead us in conversation around innovative and nuanced approaches to the comparative study of Muslim societies.

Standards:
[WHI.T2] Development and diffusion of religions and systems of belief c.500 BCE-1200 CE
[WHI.T4] Philosophy, the arts, science and technology c.1200-1700
[WHI.T5] Global exploration, conquest, colonization c.1492-1800