Arabesque stonework was designed by the mid-15th century, and painting in the style executed by Giulio Romano and the pupils of Raphael decorated the open galleries, or loggie, of the Vatican in the following century.

When was arabesque invented?

The arabesque was a design of curving line and interwoven elements like vines and leaves that repeated in an often symmetrical infinite pattern. It was created possibly around Baghdad by Islamic artists in the 10th century AD.

Why did Muslims use arabesque designs in their artwork?

Amazingly, the repetition and complexity of designs give a unidimensional surface the visual impression of being three dimensional. Arabesque symbolizes the unity of belief and the perception of the traditional Islamic culture. For many Muslims, arabesque reflects the absolute power of Allah (the one God).