Kunst des Islam

Published in 1964 as part of the Holle Kunstgeschichte series, Kunst des Islam by Katharina Otto-Dorn was conceived during a period of expanding post-war academic interest in non-Western art history. The volume was designed to provide a comprehensive and accessible survey of Islamic aesthetic traditions, covering architectural, calligraphic, and decorative motifs across a wide geographical span. It served as a pedagogical tool meant to bridge the gap between specialized archaeological research and the broader interest of the educated public in the mid-twentieth century.

Katharina Otto-Dorn, a distinguished scholar of Islamic art and archaeology, authored the text with a focus on synthesizing the complex stylistic developments of the region. The design of the book adheres to the formal, analytical aesthetic common to 1960s German art historical publishing, featuring scholarly photography and clear, structured layouts. Upon its release, it was regarded as a significant resource for students and enthusiasts, noted for its grounded, rigorous approach to a subject that was then gaining greater institutional recognition in Western curricula.