Album Page with Calligraphy Exercise (siyah mashq) by Muhammad Shah Qajar (3rd Ruler of the Qajar Dynasty) 1819 - 1869

This is an album page with calligraphy exercises, or siyah mashq, by Muhammad Shah Qajar, who was the third ruler of the Qajar dynasty in Iran. During the Qajar period, calligraphy was not just an art form, but a reflection of social status and personal cultivation. As a ruler, Muhammad Shah's mastery of calligraphy underscored his authority and refinement. The siyah mashq, with its dense, overlapping script, embodies both discipline and freedom, a paradox reflective of the artist’s position. The visual rhythm of the calligraphy, its bold strokes, and delicate flourishes, speak to the emotional and intellectual intensity of the practice. Although rooted in tradition, the artist finds space for personal expression, pushing the boundaries of established forms and creating a dynamic interplay between order and chaos. In a society marked by rigid hierarchies, calligraphy provided a medium for the negotiation of power, identity, and self-expression.