The Art of Elegant Script
The album page shown above features an elegant calligraphic quatrain written in the flowing Script known as nastaliq This was the Script of choice for many 16th and 17thcentury masters of Persian calligraphy The present piece is signed by Sultan Ali Mashhadi fl 14531519 who was born in Mashhad around 1437Nastaʿlīq Script predominant style of Persian calligraphy during the 15th and 16th centuries The inventor was Mīr ʿAlī of Tabrīz the most famous calligrapher of the Timurid period 14021502 A cursive Script nastaʿlīq was a combination of the naskhī and taʿlīq styles featuring elongatedCalligraphy is a key achievement of Islamic civilization and arguably the most characteristic expression of the Islamic spirit Throughout the Islamic world calligraphy embellishes the surfaces of
objects large and smallfrom architecture to items of daily usein styles that range from the elegant refined and eminently readable to the decorative abstract and barely legibleThe innovative Iranian mentality reconciles the curves and subtlety of Ta39ligh with the geometrical strength of Naskh and gives birth to the Naskhta39ligh Nasta39ligh Script which before anything is a form of visual art The harmonious and elegant flow of words and the ratio of empty to full space are artistically appealingArts of the Islamic World Nastaliq The Genius of Persian Calligraphy is the first exhibition of its kind to focus on nastaliq a calligraphic Script that developed in the fourteenth century in Iran and remains one of the most expressive forms of aesthetic refinement in Persian culture to this day
More than twenty works ranging in date Contemporary Persian calligraphy In 1950 the Iran39s Association of Calligraphers was founded by Hossein Mirkhani Ali Akbar Kaveh Ebrahim Bouzari Hassan Mirkhani and Mehdi Baiani For an overview of Persian calligraphy39s development within Afghanistan see quotCalligraphy during last two centuries in Afghanistanquot 1964 by Azizuddin VakiliReferences Mir Ali Tabrizi was a distinguished Persian calligrapher in the 14th century to whom the invention of NasTaliq calligraphy style is attributed He was thus titled quotQodwat alKottabquot literarily 39the chief of the scribes39 He invented this calligraphy style by means of combining two older styles together Naskh and TaliqThe name nastaliq quotis a contraction of the Persian naskhi ta39liq Persian نسخ
تعلیق meaning a hanging or suspended naskh quot 6 Virtually all Safavid authors like Dust Muhammad or Qadi Ahmad attributed the invention of nastaliq to Mir Ali Tabrizi who lived at the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century
## The Art of Elegant Script
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting. It is a centuries-old tradition that has been practiced in many cultures around the world. In Iran, calligraphy is considered to be one of the highest forms of art, and it is taught in schools and universities.
## The Elements of Calligraphy
There are three main elements of calligraphy: **form**, **line**, and **movement**.
* **Form** refers to the overall shape of the letters. In Persian calligraphy, there are two main forms of letters: **naskh** and **thuluth**. Naskh is a flowing script that is used for everyday writing, while thuluth is a more angular script that is used for more formal purposes.
* **Line** refers to the thickness and weight of the strokes. In Persian calligraphy, the lines are typically thin and delicate, but they can also be thick and bold.
* **Movement** refers to the way the letters flow together. In Persian calligraphy, the letters are typically connected, and they flow from one to the next in a smooth and graceful manner.
## The History of Calligraphy in Iran
Calligraphy has been practiced in Iran for over a thousand years. The earliest examples of Persian calligraphy date back to the 9th century AD. During the 10th and 11th centuries, Persian calligraphy reached its peak under the rule of the Buyid dynasty. The Buyids were great patrons of the arts, and they encouraged the development of calligraphy.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, Persian calligraphy continued to flourish under the rule of the Seljuk Turks. The Seljuks were also great patrons of the arts, and they commissioned many beautiful works of calligraphy.
In the 14th century, Persian calligraphy reached its zenith under the rule of the Timurid dynasty. The Timurids were the most important patrons of calligraphy in Iranian history, and they commissioned many of the finest works of calligraphy that exist today.
The 15th and 16th centuries saw a decline in the popularity of calligraphy in Iran. This was due to the rise of printing, which made it possible to produce books and other written materials much more cheaply than it was possible to produce them by hand.
However, calligraphy continued to be practiced by a small number of artists, and it was revived in the 19th century by the Qajar dynasty. The Qajars were great patrons of the arts, and they commissioned many beautiful works of calligraphy.
## Iranian Calligraphy Today
Today, calligraphy is still practiced in Iran, and it is considered to be one of the highest forms of art. There are many schools and universities in Iran that teach calligraphy, and there are also many competitions and exhibitions that are held each year.
Iranian calligraphy is a living tradition that is constantly evolving. New artists are constantly coming up with new ideas and techniques, and they are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in calligraphy.
## Conclusion
Calligraphy is a beautiful art form that has been practiced in Iran for over a thousand years. It is a tradition that is constantly evolving, and it is still going strong today.Iranian Calligraphy: A Living Tradition
## Iranian Calligraphy: A Living Tradition
Calligraphy is a centuries-old art form that is still practiced today in Iran. It is a highly respected art form, and it is considered to be one of the highest forms of expression.
## The History of Iranian Calligraphy
The history of Iranian calligraphy dates back over a thousand years. It is believed that calligraphy first developed in Iran during the Sassanian Empire (224-651 AD). During this time, calligraphy was used for religious texts, government documents, and other important works.
## The Golden Age of Iranian Calligraphy
The golden age of Iranian calligraphy began in the 10th century AD. This was a time of great cultural and artistic achievement in Iran. Many of the most famous works of Iranian calligraphy were produced during this time.
## The Decline of Iranian Calligraphy
The decline of Iranian calligraphy began in the 16th century AD. This was due to the rise of printing, which made it possible to produce books and other written materials much more cheaply than it was possible to produce them by hand.
## The Revival of Iranian Calligraphy
The revival of Iranian calligraphy began in the 19th century AD. This was due to the efforts of a group of artists who were determined to preserve this important art form.
## Iranian Calligraphy Today
Today, Iranian calligraphy is still practiced by a small number of artists. It is a highly respected art form, and it is considered to be one of the highest forms