allahallah Even more revered than the art of textiles in the Islamic world is the art of calligraphy ("the art of ornamental writing"). The sacred words of the Qur'an must be reproduced in as beautiful a script as human hands can create and must appear on whatever material surfaces that can carry it unsullied, including architecture and the fragile pages. The aesthetic achievement of Arabic calligraphy lies not only in itself but in its perfect union with the arabesque.


Mihrab from Isfahan

Scanned from Gardneršs Art Through the Ages, Tenth Edition


allahallahThis mihrab exemplifies the strength and happiness of the union of calligraphy and the arabesque. The pointed arch enframes the mihrab niche that bears and inscription from the Qur'an in Kufic (an early form of the Arabic alphabet), the stately vertical script from which derived the many simple, cursive styles that make up the repertoire of Islamic calligraphy. One of these styles, the so-called Muhaqqaq, fills the outer rectilinear frame of the mihrab. Tighter and looser networks of geometrical and abstract floral motifs occupy the curving surface of the niche and transom above the arch. The framed inscription in the center of the niche, which proclaims that the mosque is the domicile of the pious believer, is smoothly integrated with the varied patterns. The outermost inscription, detailing the five pillars of Islamic faith, serves as an extension as well as a boundary for the whole design. The unity is so complete between the calligraphic and geometric elements that only the trained eye could distinguish them. Here are some other examples of this:

Calligraphic illumination of a page of poetry, Iran, sixteenth century, ink, colors, and gold on paper	allahallah	Candlestick engraved with a Persian poem, Safavid period, 1608
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Scanned from Gardneršs Art Through the Ages, Tenth Edition	allahallah	Scanned from Gardneršs Art Through the Ages, Tenth Edition	allahallah

allahallah This concludes our exploration into Islamic Art. Please return home to view other sections.