Vaughan Hart

Vaughan Hart, a professor of architecture at the University of Bath, provided a critical review of Diana Darke's 2020 book, "Stealing from the Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe." Hart, who has written on the Eastern influences on Sir Christopher Wren, noted that while Darke proposed significant Islamic architectural impacts on medieval Europe, some of her specific examples lacked strong evidence. Hart specifically addressed Darke's comparison of Big Ben to a Syrian minaret, stating there was no proof of direct influence and that such claims could undermine her broader argument. He also commented on the citation of Sir Christopher Wren, suggesting Wren's remarks about Gothic architecture being 'Saracen' might have been made with ulterior motives and limited knowledge of actual Arab buildings. Hart's perspective aligns with other reviewers who pointed out potential oversimplification and a downplaying of Byzantine and Roman contributions.

Vaughan Hart, an architecture professor, offered a measured critique of Diana Darke's "Stealing from the Saracens." While acknowledging the book's premise of Islamic architectural influence on Europe, Hart questioned the evidentiary basis for some of Darke's more specific assertions. He found the comparison between London's Big Ben and a destroyed minaret in Aleppo to be unsubstantiated, suggesting such unsupported connections could weaken the book's central thesis. Hart also addressed Darke's use of Sir Christopher Wren's statement that Gothic architecture should be termed 'Saracen architecture.' Hart indicated that Wren's comment might have been made for personal reasons and that Wren possessed limited knowledge of actual Islamic architectural works, implying the quote was taken out of context. These points were echoed by other critics who felt the book sometimes presented a simplified narrative.

Further elaborating on the reception of Darke's work, Vaughan Hart provided context to specific historical claims. He noted that Sir Christopher Wren's assertion about Gothic architecture being 'Saracen' was potentially self-serving and based on incomplete information about Islamic buildings. Hart’s own research into Wren’s Eastern influences suggests a complex relationship rather than direct appropriation. Additionally, Hart concurred with other reviewers, such as William Whyte, that while Western Gothic architecture certainly drew from foreign sources, the primary influence was a shared inheritance from Byzantine, Roman, and ancient Greek traditions, rather than solely Islamic. This shared heritage, rather than 'theft,' as the book's title provocatively suggests, is seen as a more accurate representation of cultural exchange.

“Wren had self-interested reasons for making this claim, and knew very little about Arab buildings”

“Hart wrote that Darke's comparison between Big Ben and a now destroyed minaret of the Great Mosque of Aleppo has no evidence of direct influence and could distract from her argument.”