Part One – A Venetian’s Guide to the East
If one was a newly made Venetian merchant wanting to travel to the near east to trade, they should keep a few things in mind. They should expect a culture shock. Most of the citizens follow the religion of Islam and follow traditions and customs far different than the ones in Venice and the west. There may be instances that the merchant will be confused. They must remember to not only be more open minded of what the people follow but respect it. To go against their religion and costumes would mean to anger them and get on their bad side. One does not want to fight with any other merchants due to the fact that the merchant might lose out on products they could sell.
They must also keep in mind the war between the west and east. It does not matter that there might be issues they agree with or are against, trading comes first. What comes to mind is the ban both have on the trade of any products relating to the military. Venice has tried to lift the ban or at least create an exception for the merchants of Venice to sell timber especially to the Ottomans and the east. Due to regional borders, timber is in excess to the west and Venice would make quite the profit if they were able to sell the timber and other military based products to the east. The papacy will not allow it. There will be other bans and restrictions from the east that will hinder the trade of one eastern product or another. The Soldan of Egypt has been greatly annoyed by the Portuguese and their way of trading and placed restrictions on the trade of pepper, a spice that is highly requested by those in the north and west of Europe. Any merchant should be prepared for any change in trading systems, there is a delicate balance between the east and the west. One needs to be prepared to change what products they are trying to trade.
That is why there is should be relative peace between any Venetian merchant and the other merchants they encounter in their travels to the east or near east. You need allies in the ever changing market. Those who control the routes and are able to place any restriction on imports and exports can affect your business. To put your differences aside will be the greatest asset you can have as you go into a very variable market. Anything can change and your business can easily become bankrupt.
Part Two – MET Visit
Jerusalem Exhibit: https://goo.gl/photos/vUwSAcnmoyb2k6t69
The Jerusalem exhibit showed a lot of culture diversity and how it all connected. All the religions influenced each other in art and literature. The image of the sword of a Christian soldier reflected Islamic aesthetic, such as it being thin and the hilt decorated in an Islamic way. The Arabic text is actually of the Christian Four Gospels even though many would assume it is the Quran. The Dome of Jerusalem reflects all the religions in its aesthetic.
Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia: https://goo.gl/photos/vNZgJe1fcaiAL9xH6
I chose to take pictures of these pieces due to the fact that they all reflect something Islam and Asian culture held in high regard- nature. Islam prohibits the use of the images of important religious figures in art. Among that many Islamic nations studied mathematics and there was a more excess of use of geometric shapes in mosques or in aesthetic. These patterns were deemed beautiful by the symmetry and perfection. Also nature, especially flowers and fields of pasture reflected on the idea of paradise. Islam’s view on paradise was green fields, flowers, and a stream of water. It’s not atypical to see Islamic artists use that for their art or aesthetic.