Description
Book SynopsisJoint Winner of the 2007 British-Kuwait Friendship Society Prize for Middle Eastern StudiesWinner of 2008 World Prize for Book of the Year by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic GuidanceSelected as a 2007 CHOICE Outstanding Academic TitleThe extensive use of writing is a hallmark of Islamic civilization. Calligraphy became one of the main methods of artistic expression from the seventh century to the present in almost all regions from the far Maghrib to India and beyond. Arabic script was adopted for other languages from Persian and Turkish to Kanembu and Malay.Islamic Calligraphy explains this art form to modern readers and shows them how to identify, understand and appreciate its varied styles and modes. Designed to offer a standardized terminology for identifying and describing various styles of Islamic calligraphy, it aims to help Westerners appreciate why calligraphy has long been so important in Islamic civilization.This sumptuous, prize-winning book is an ideal reference for anyone with an interest in Islamic art.
Table of ContentsList of Figures List of Abbreviations Glossary Index Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: Arabic Script: Its Role and Principles Chapter 2: Materials Part II: The Development of Arabic Script in Early Islamic Times Chapter 3: The Standardization of Arabic Script Chapter 4: Early Manuscripts of the Koran Part III: The Pre-Eminence of Round Scripts in the Early Middle Period Chapter 5: The Adoption of Round Scripts Chapter 6: The Proliferation of Round Scripts Part IV: The Emergence of Regional Styles in the Later Middle Period Chapter 7: Calligraphy in Iran and its Environs under the Mongols and Turkomans Chapter 8: Rectilinear and Curvilinear Scripts in Egypt and Syria under the Mamluks Chapter 9: Other Styles and Centers Part V: Dynastic Styles in the Age of Empires Chapter 10: The Safavids, the Qajars, and their Contemporaries in Iran and Central Asia Chapter 11: The Ottomans in Anatolia, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean Chapter 12: Other Styles and Centers Part VI: The Many Faces of Islamic Calligraphy in Modern Times Chapter 13: From Traditional Styles to Graphic Design and Calligraphic Art Bibliography Copyright Acknowledgements Index
