The Art of Persian Calligraphy

Introduction:

Calligraphy always has been an important branch of art among Islamic cultures. The strong attention to the word of God in Islamic belief brought a significant attention to the art of calligraphy and calligraphers. Calligrapher wrote down the word of God at the very beginning, which was told by prophet Mohammad, so calligraphers positioned by one generation away from God. This is the way calligraphy became very respectable and important among Islamic cultures and arts.

The story began in the city of Kufeh in Saudi Arabia as the birthplace of the first style of Islamic calligraphy (KUFIC), and then it continues until today. The invention of many different styles of Islamic calligraphy through the history shaped a very strong branch in the world of Islamic art as Islamic Calligraphy.

Islamic calligraphy arrived in Iran when the Islamic faith took place in this country. Since then, calligraphy has been always the center of attention of Persian art in different periods until now. The result of this attention through the years has developed and introduced two newly styles name “Nastaliq” and “Shekastee” in the world of Islamic calligraphy by Iranian calligraphy artists. Later on, Nastaliq became as the identity mark for the Persian branch of Islamic calligraphy. Nastaliq is known as the bride of Islamic calligraphy.

The long and active history of calligraphy in Iran, and appearance of different talented calligraphers on the way, established a very strong foundation and background for Persian calligraphy. Because of this strong foundation, the innovative work in Persian calligraphy became harder and harder, but not impossible.

 This section of “Art in Iran.org” has designated to introduce and provide information of different activities of Persian calligraphy movements through history from its classical periods to modern eras.

 

 

 

 

 


Nastaliq Siah Mashq
Mirza Gholam Reza Esfahani
(1829-1887 A.D.)

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From Art In Iran.org private collection