Panel with calligraphy c. 20th century

textile

word art style

pattern out of typography

hand-lettering

text art

hand drawn type

typography

hand lettering

textile

word art

hand-drawn typeface

calligraphic

This anonymous 20th century panel displays intricate calligraphy in gold thread on a rich burgundy background. The inscription, likely from the Quran, is a testament to the artistic mastery of Islamic art. The contrasting colors and meticulous detail highlight the beauty and power of written language, reflecting the importance of Islamic scripture in the cultural heritage of the Middle East. The panel, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, offers a glimpse into the rich tradition of Islamic art.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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In Islamic Africa, calligraphy is not only found on writing boards and paper, but also on blades, ceramics, and textiles. Woven into this cloth are two verses from chapters 21 and 96 from the Qur’an. On the right is “Taught man what he did not know,” which refers to God’s gift of knowledge to humans. The left one, in which God addresses the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), reads: “We did not send you except as a mercy for humankind.” Such striking textiles would be hung in private homes, mosques, or Qur’anic schools. Interpretation of text:Taught man what he did not know.We did not send you but as a mercy for humankind.