Introduction (verso), folio 4 from a Manuscript of the Forty Hadiths by Jami 1552

Curator: Here we see a page, an introduction actually, from a Manuscript of the Forty Hadiths by Jami, penned by the scribe Sultan Ahmad Haravi. Editor: The script, confined within a ruled frame, conveys a sense of order and devotion through the page’s quiet, contemplative texture. Curator: Indeed. The calligraphy is more than mere writing. The script's elegant curves serve as a visual representation of divine words, each stroke meticulously rendered. Editor: The visual restraint, the careful composition—it speaks volumes about the sacredness of the text it holds, hinting at traditions of reverence. Curator: Exactly. The border's spare lines focus us entirely on the text. Editor: It’s a testament to the power of text as image—and the emotional gravity contained in symbolic form. Curator: A wonderful example of how form enhances meaning, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely. The quiet devotion of the work stays with me.