What feature is commonly found in Middle Eastern/Islamic art?

Middle Eastern/Islamic art is renowned for its intricate patterns and calligraphy, which are central to its aesthetic and cultural significance. This style often emphasizes abstract and geometric designs due to religious beliefs that discourage the depiction of living beings in art. As a result, artists focus more on the beauty of complex patterns, including arabesques and muqarnas, as well as elaborate calligraphic work that showcases the beauty of the Arabic script. This integration of pattern and text creates a visual language that is both decorative and meaningful, portraying the spiritual and intellectual values important in Islamic culture.

In contrast, while the other options touch on aspects that may appear in art, they do not encapsulate the defining characteristics of Islamic art. The use of figurative representations, for instance, is generally avoided in Islamic tradition due to the prohibition against idolatry. Simple geometric shapes are certainly present but do not convey the same levels of complexity and intricacy that are hallmark features. Bright color palettes can be found in some works, but they are not as characteristic or essential to the style as the detailed patterns and calligraphic elements.