Islamic Calligraphy
'Sheila S. Blair is a seasoned author with an excellent track record in publishing both specialised and general books on Islamic art. Indeed she is an undisputed star in her field.' - Professor Robert Hillenbrand, University of Edinburgh\ 'I can think of no one more qualified to produce such a volume… She is a recognised and highly-regarded expert in the field..' - Professor W. M. Thackston, Harvard University\ This stunning book is an important contribution to a key area of non-western art,...
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'Sheila S. Blair is a seasoned author with an excellent track record in publishing both specialised and general books on Islamic art. Indeed she is an undisputed star in her field.' - Professor Robert Hillenbrand, University of Edinburgh'I can think of no one more qualified to produce such a volume… She is a recognised and highly-regarded expert in the field..' - Professor W. M. Thackston, Harvard UniversityThis stunning book is an important contribution to a key area of non-western art, being the first reference work on art of beautiful writing in Arabic script.The extensive use of writing is a hallmark of Islamic civilization. Calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, became one of the main methods of artistic expression from the seventh century to the present in almost all regions from the far Maghrib, or Islamic West, to India and beyond. Arabic script was adopted for other languages from Persian and Turkish to Kanembu and Malay. Sheila Blair's groundbreaking book explains this art form to modern readers and shows them how to identify, understand and appreciate its varied styles and modes. The book is designed to offer a standardized terminology for identifying and describing various styles of Islamic calligraphy, and to help Westerners appreciate why calligraphy has long been so important in Islamic civilization.The argument is enhanced by the inclusion of more than 150 colour illustrations, as well as over 100 black-and-white details that highlight the salient features of the individual scripts and hands. Examples are chosen from dated or datable examples with secure provenance, for the problem of forgeries and copies (both medieval and modern) is rampant. The illustrations are accompanied by detailed analyses telling the reader what to look for in determining both style and quality of script.This beautiful book is an ideal reference for anyone with an interest in Islamic art.Winner of the British-Kuwait Friendship Society Prize 2007.
Ch. 1Arabic script : its role and principles3Ch. 2Materials41Ch. 3The standardization of Arabic script77Ch. 4Early manuscripts of the Koran101Ch. 5The adoption of round scripts143Ch. 6The proliferation of round scripts195Ch. 7Calligraphy in Iran and its environs under the Mongols and Turkomans241Ch. 8Rectilinear and curvilinear scripts in Egypt and Syria under the Mamluks316Ch. 9Other styles and centers365Ch. 10The Safavids, the Qajars, and their contemporaries in Iran and Central Asia417Ch. 11The Ottomans in Anatolia, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean476Ch. 12Other styles and centers534Ch. 13From traditional styles to graphic design and calligraphic art589
\ Religion and the ArtsBlair has produced a magisterial treatment of a very demanding subject, densely annotated by very readable.\ — John Renard\ \ \ \ \ \ Robert HillenbrandSheila S. Blair is a seasoned author with an excellent track record in publishing both specialised and general books on Islamic art. Indeed she is an undisputed star in her field.\ \ \ W. M. ThackstonI can think of no one more qualified to produce such a volume… Sheila Blair is a recognized and highly-regarded expert in the field.\ \ \ \ \ Religion and the ArtsBlair has produced a magisterial treatment of a very demanding subject, densely annotated by very readable.\ \ \ \ \ \ Professor Robert HillenbrandSheila S. Blair is a seasoned author with an excellent track record in publishing both specialised and general books on Islamic art. Indeed she is an undisputed star in her field.\ \ \ \ \ \ Professor W. M. ThackstonI can think of no one more qualified to produce such a volume… Sheila Blair is a recognized and highly-regarded expert in the field.\ \ \
