Album Leaf with Calligraphic Exercise (siyah mashq) 1817 - 1868

This artwork, *Album Leaf with Calligraphic Exercise (siyah mashq)* by Asadullah Shirazi (1805-1875) is a striking example of Persian calligraphy. The piece features a complex and intricate script in black ink on a beige paper ground, framed by a decorative border of stylized floral motifs in gold and burgundy. The calligraphy, known as *siyah mashq*, is a practice exercise used to refine the calligrapher's hand and skill. The piece, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, exemplifies the artistry and precision that characterized this traditional art form in 19th-century Iran.