Untitled 

Ahmed Karahisari made this calligraphic panel in the 16th century, using ink, opaque pigments and gold on paper. Calligraphy, like weaving or ceramics, is an art form deeply rooted in material practice. The way the pen – or "qalam" – is shaped, held and moved across the paper determines the character of the strokes. This creates the thicks and thins that give this script its extraordinary rhythm and balance. The preparation of the paper and ink is also key. The paper had to be burnished to a smooth sheen, and the ink made according to precise recipes. The use of gold leaf suggests the high status of both the patron and the artist. Calligraphers were not simply scribes, but skilled artists, highly valued for their virtuosity, and the intense discipline of their practice. By looking closely at the materials and making of this artwork, we can appreciate the cultural values it embodies. It's a tribute to the enduring power of skilled handwork.