Human representation in Islamic art occurred in different artistic media: mosaics, painting, and sculpture. Besides portraiture, the viewer is entertained by illustrative pictorial representations of various pastimes such as hunting, battle-scenes, dancing, music-making, poetry-reading, nude or half-clad women, games and acrobats, gift-bearing and scenes of working life. The precise ‘meaning’ of the imagery may be understood in different and sometimes even conflicting ways, often making the motivation for the subject matter unclear. Although most of the images may be generally interpreted as depictions of luxurious living; pleasures of the court and the symbolism of wealth and power, some of the visuals can be understood also as precise references to concrete historical or social events. Moreover, the details seen in some hunting scenes display scenes of a specifically local nature.