Calligraphy, the art of beautifying the word, is emblematic of Islamic arts in their various forms. The traditional Islamic arts have incorporated calligraphy for 14 centuries. It came to be considered a noble practice, and Muslim calligraphers developed an art of the highest level. While respecting the canons of an established tradition, calligraphers experimented extensively, and many distinct styles developed in different regions and periods from East to West. Calligraphy continues to be part of the work of contemporary artists.
Museum consultant Sabiha Al Khemir discusses how calligraphy occupies a central place in Islamic arts, exploring its use in architecture as well as objects, with examples across media, time, and place. She examines the nature of calligraphy as a unifying factor of Islamic arts and surveys a range of styles and how they reflect the diversity of the Islamic world. She covers the various facets of calligraphy in form and content from the sacred to the secular, highlighting its aesthetic, symbolic, and metaphysical dimensions and demonstrating the ways in which it carries a profound cultural significance.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
General Information
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
