Page of Pen Exercises 

Sheikh Hamdullah created this page of pen exercises, sometime before his death in 1520, demonstrating his mastery of calligraphy. The overall impression is one of dynamic tension, created by the density of the script. Notice how the thick black lines of the calligraphy contrast sharply with the pale ground, producing a visual rhythm that is both complex and harmonious. The composition is structured around the repetition of curvilinear forms, each stroke carefully balanced against the others. The varying thickness of the lines adds depth and texture, while the overall arrangement creates a unified field of visual interest. Hamdullah uses the calligraphic form not just for legibility but as a visual language, exploiting its inherent abstract qualities to create a work that exists on the boundary between writing and art. This work challenges the traditional view of calligraphy as purely functional. It invites us to consider how art can destabilize established meanings and engage with new ways of thinking about representation. Through his deliberate arrangement of form, Hamdullah transforms writing into a medium of profound aesthetic expression.