The Importance of Calligraphy in Islamic Art

 

The Role of Calligraphy in Architecture

The-Importance-of-Calligraphy-in-Islamic-Art
  In Islamic culture, art of writing is held in high esteem and is regarded as the most noble of all the arts Calligraphy is a unique kind of art with the interrelated lines and elaborate drawing. It has been employed to write text, but also as an art tool that has greatly impacted the Islamic art and architecture. As for the calligraphy in Islamic art, then this post will focus on its relevance, as well as the role it plays in architecture.

The Origins of Islamic Calligraphy

Calligraphy as a form of art is known to have started in the early years of the Islamic civilization. To be able to document and maintain the words said in the Qur’an, the Islamic holy book, a new script was created. The Arabic writing which originated from the Nabataean and Aramaic scripts later developed the art of Islamic calligraphy.Due to the growth of the Islamic empire the art of calligraphy also expanded and developed into several different forms, each with their own distinguishing features. Some of the most prominent styles include:
  • Kufic: This is an angular and geometric script with strong emphasis of the horizontals and verticals which was the first calligraphic style; it is used engrossed in the Qur’anic manuscripts, and as inscription on the buildings.
  • Naskh: Naskh script was considered being more round and natural than the Kufic script and became the most commonly used script for writing Qur’ans. And to this date, it is still in practice to a certain extent.
  • Thuluth: Thuluth is a style more cursive, and even more, decorative given its elongated, predominantly vertical alignments, and curved shapes. They mostly employed it in carving inscriptions on monuments as well as other architectural designs.
  • Diwani: Diwani a calligraphic script that originated during the Ottoman Empire is highly stylized and has features of ligatures and compact arrangement of letters. It was mainly employed to write letters, documents, and other formal notifications that were issued by the authorities or the king.

Calligraphy as a Visual Art

In Islamic art, which has always been influenced by religion, calligraphy is symbolic of divinity. It is prohibited by Islamic law to depict human and animal forms in religious art hence artists had to switch to calligraphy as a way of expressing themselves. The people developed elaborate forms and patterns by using the Arabic script and the copybook transformed words and phrases into art forms. Calligraphic compositions can be of different types; linear, circular, or even geometric shapes can be parts of a calligraphic composition. They may include verses from the Qur’an, the names of Allah, or the Prophet Muhammad or include phrases which have a religious connotation. The process of making these calligraphic works is considered to be a form of art and fine skill and master calligraphers are much honored.

The Role of Calligraphy in Islamic Architecture

Ornamental writing is also very important in Islamic architecture where it is used as a form of decoration and as a way of passing information in form of scriptures. Calligraphy is used in religious places such as mosques, in royal palaces, tombs, and other buildings across the Islamic countries.

Mosques

Different writings and calligraphy are adopted to write the verses from the Quarantine and other religious scriptures on the interior walls, the mihrab, minbar, and the domes. They remain as a constant message that the divine is always present and plays a great role in creating a spiritual environment for the worshippers. The Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia and the Alhambra in Spain are outstanding examples of mosques with much calligraphy.

Tombs and Mausoleums

The other important places where calligraphy is used are the tombs and mausoleums where names of the dead and their ranks, or some verses from the Qur’an would normally be written. The beautiful calligraphic inscriptions both on the exterior and interior of the Taj Mahal in India are a good example of this.

Palaces and Public Buildings

Calligraphy is not only a mere ornament in palaces or other public structures; it also acts as a way of self-assertion and domination. For example, the entrance to the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is covered with calligraphic inscriptions about the moral values of the Ottoman sultans.

Architectural Elements

Calligraphy is also applied on friezes, arches, and decorative panels that are parts of the building structures. At times, it is intertwined with other forms of art like geometric designs and arabesques making it even more pleasing to the eyes. Therefore, calligraphy is considered as one of the most important components of Islamic art and architecture. Religiously and culturally, it provides messages and aesthetically is used as a decoration. The incorporation of calligraphy into structures depicts the aesthetic features of the Arabic script and the artistic work of the artists who converted them into a symbol of Islamic art.