Bifolio from an Album of Calligraphic Exercises 1896

Editor: Here we have a bifolio from an album of calligraphic exercises, created by Al-Hajj al-’Arif. The swirling marbled paper surrounding the text is quite striking. What formal qualities stand out to you? Curator: The elegant juxtaposition of the rigid calligraphic forms against the fluid marbling creates an interesting tension. Note the deliberate placement of the text blocks within the frame; this creates a visual harmony. Editor: It's like a dance between order and chaos, I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Observing the interplay of structure and texture enriches our understanding.