Special Lecture: “Outstanding Patrons, Beautiful Objects: Metaphors for Humanism and Enlightenment”
On Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
Brown Auditorium Theater
The Museum of Fine Arts , Houston
Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public. A reception to meet the speaker follows the lecture.
Presented by Alnoor Merchant
Acting Head Librarian and Keeper of the Manuscript Collections at the Library of The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London
Throughout history, a most significant impetus for the development of artistic culture has been patronage. Patronage of art and architecture has been an integral element in Muslim civilizations, also. Alnoor Merchant will discuss how patrons, by attracting celebrated artists to create vibrant and unique styles and themes, promoted an exuberant and dynamic artistic environment extending from Indonesia to Spain.
Over the past decade, Alnoor Merchant has played a central role in identifying and acquiring important manuscripts and artworks for the Aga Khan Museum . He has curated numerous exhibitions from the collections of the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London , as well as assisted with the exhibitions of the Aga Khan Museum ’s collection hosted in Lisbon , London , Paris , Parma , and Toledo . In this richly illustrated lecture, Merchant will show how works of art spanning over a thousand years of history and originating from different parts of the Muslim world have a context in the faith and history of Islam and serve as metaphors for humanism and enlightenment.
This lecture is made possible through the generous support of The Institute of Ismaili Studies, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for the Southwestern United States.
For more information, please call 713-639-7300 or email lectures@mfah.org or visit http://www.mfah.org
Ismailimail 
Alnoor Merchant is the Senior Librarian and Keeper of the Ismaili collections at the library of The Institute of Ismaili Studies. Alnoor obtained his M.A. in Islamic Studies from McGill University, Canada. He has been instrumental in developing the collections of Ismaili materials at the Institute‘s library over the past 15 years. Since 1997, Alnoor has played a pivotal role in identifying and acquiring important manuscripts and artefacts, many of which are on display in the current exhibition organised by the library. He has also developed proposals towards the creation of a museum of Ismaili Heritage and is presently pursuing a degree in Museum Studies.
http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_person.asp?ID=106&type=auth
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Here is the schedule of the same lecture in other cities:
Thursday, Feb 12 @ 10:30 am: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco.
Friday, Feb 13 @ 12 pm: Cantor Art Center, Stanford University.
Saturday, Feb 14 @ 1 pm: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Sunday, Feb 15 @ 3 pm: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
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