The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

The Art of

Arabic Calligraphy

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Discussion Questions

* What are the guidelines and aesthetic principles of Islamic art?

* What types of objects are art in Islam?

* What is the significance of calligraphy and geometric shapes in Islamic art?

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

How Writing Became an Art Form:How Writing Became an Art Form:• The Revelation of the Qur’an as an inspiration• To glorify the words of God – visually as in recitation• The discouragement of representing human figures

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Development of Arabic Script:Development of Arabic Script:•As a writing system, Arabic appeared in early 5th Century.• The revelation of Islam had a major impact on the development of Arabic language & Script.

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Iranian Helmet Candlestick

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Calligraphy Applications:Calligraphy Applications: • To Glorify & Beautify God’s words • As a form of worship • As a spiritual activity• Artistic• Decoration• Identity

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Tugra_Mahmuds_II.gif

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Tughra’ was used by the Ottoman sultans as their signature. It was supposed to be impossible to imitate.

Basmallah in Tughra’ style Signature of an Ottoman Sultan

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

See a tughra (tugra) in action

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Tugra_Mahmuds_II.gif

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Pictorial Calligraphy: words are manipulated and structured into the shape of a human figure, a bird, an animal or an object.

Prayer in a form of a human figure“I testify that there is no god, but God

and Muhammad is a messenger of God"

Prayer in a form of a Lion “Ali bin abi Talib, the victorious lion of God, may God be pleased with him"

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Calligraphy in the shape of a mosque

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Love & Peace by Fayeq Oweis, 2003

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Arabic Calligraphy in MosquesArabic Calligraphy in Mosques

Minbar & Mihrab - Mosque of University of JordanThe Dome of the Rock

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Geometric Patterns Complex geometric designs/ intricate geometrical patterns Unity, Logic and Order Unending repetition is believed by some to be an

expression of the infinite nature of God.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/geom/hd_geom.htm

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Dome of the Rock

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Now you get to try your hand at Islamic art…