Masjid al-Haram or the Great Mosque of Mecca is shown here, with the Ka'ba at the centre. Regarded by Muslims as the holiest site, this is the final destination of the annual hajj (pilgrimage). The mosque and its environs are depicted in isometric projection -- a technique of representing three-dimensional objects along two dimensions. In spite of this, a degree of realism is still achieved. This illustration style reflects Ottoman and European influences. This image of the Great Mosque is painted onto the reverse side of a piece of glass. To create the image, the artist painted details in the foreground before moving on to the background. This method, commonly referred to as "reverse glass painting", allows for the image to be viewed correctly from the other side of the glass.
