Page from the Koran c. 12th century
anonymous
aged paper
toned paper
water colours
tea stained
personal sketchbook
ink
ink colored
watercolour bleed
watercolour illustration
sketchbook art
watercolor
This 12th-century page from the Koran, a sacred Islamic text, is a stunning example of Islamic calligraphy. The intricate script, rendered in black ink against a gold background, is carefully arranged within a frame of delicate floral motifs. The use of calligraphy as a form of artistic expression is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, reflecting the importance of the written word in the faith. This page, created by an anonymous artist, showcases the beauty and skill of Islamic calligraphy, and its timeless relevance to the Islamic faith.
Comments
The earliest Korans were written almost exclusively in the script known as kufic, after the town of Kufa in Mesopotamia where the style originated. Until the eleventh century, letters were thick and well-rounded, with short vertical and pronounced horizontal strokes. In later examples like this however, letters appear more angular with a stronger emphasis on the vertical elements. This form of kufic eventually gave way to more fluid cursive styles, including thuluth, naskhi and nastaliq, probably the most elegant Persian script. In this example, the rich background of muted arabesques heightens the angularity and strength of the script itself.
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