Which of the following is not true of the mosque pictured above? a. It was financed by the estates of victims of the bubonic plague. b. The façade is made of brilliant blue glazed tiles that wrap around the entire courtyard. c. On top of the dome, there are examples of Islam arabesques. d. This is the Mosque of Isfahan.

Arts · High School · Thu Feb 04 2021

Answered on

Considering that there is no accompanying image in your question for me to analyze, I am unable to identify which of the options a, b, c, or d is untrue of the mosque you are referring to. However, to address this query, you would normally observe the image provided to determine any misleading statements about its characteristics.

To help you out, if you're speaking about the Shah Mosque (also known as Imam Mosque) in Isfahan, Iran, we can deduce the following based on common knowledge:

a. It was financed by Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty, primarily with the wealth he acquired from trade and land revenues. There's no widely recognized association with financing from estates of victims of the bubonic plague for this mosque. This statement could potentially be incorrect.

b. The facade of the Shah Mosque is indeed famous for its splendid use of seven-color mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions, predominantly in blue shades that cover many parts of the structure. This statement is typically accurate.

c. Islamic arabesques are a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines, often combined with other elements. It would not be unusual to find these on the domes of mosques in Islamic architecture. This statement sounds true for many mosques, including the Shah Mosque.

d. The Mosque of Isfahan could refer to the Shah Mosque in Isfahan, which is indeed a well-known mosque in the city. This statement would normally be considered true.

Given the information, the likely untrue statement, without seeing the specific mosque picture, would be (a), since the historical financing of the Shah Mosque is not typically associated with estates of victims of the bubonic plague.

Extra: Mosques play a significant role in Islamic culture; they are places of worship for Muslims and often serve as community centers and places of learning. The architecture of a mosque is very distinctive, with features such as domes, minarets, and courtyards. The facades are sometimes decorated with intricate tile work which incorporates geometric patterns and calligraphy, reflecting the Islamic prohibition of depicting figurative imagery in religious art. Arabesques are a common decorative element, illustrating the Islamic love of ornamentation and complexity, combining abstract patterns with themes from nature. Islamic architecture is notable for this integration of aesthetics, spirituality, and function. The Shah Mosque in Isfahan is one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture, exemplifying these principles, and is known for its magnificent tile work and its architecturally innovative dome and acoustics.