Sample of Calligraphy in Persian Nasta'liq Script
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Object Label
In the first centuries after the advent of Islam, Arabic calligraphy—alluding to the written word of God—was one of the main characteristics distinguishing the art of Islam from that of the preceding Byzantines and Sasanians in the Near East. In sixteenth-century Iran, calligraphy was a highly revered art form, visible in the public sphere in architectural inscriptions and, in more private and exclusive circles, collected by the court and wealthy elite to be assembled and enjoyed in albums. Samples such as the one shown here were often embellished with stylized floral and leaf patterns rendered in colorful pigments and gilding, remounted into beautifully ornamented and gilded margin papers, and bound together in albums and anthologies of poetry.
Calligraphy lessons comprised one of the many branches of a ruler\'s education, and some princes exhibited great talent for the art form. The signature following the skillfully executed verses on this page, however, suggests that a court calligrapher may have been responsible for this example. The lower left triangle reads, "faqīr Mir cAli [the poor Mir \'Ali]," which invites a possible attribution to the celebrated calligrapher Mir \'Ali Haravi (died 1544–45), active at the court in Herat until 1528, when he was captured and moved to Bukhara by the Uzbeks. One of the greatest masters of calligraphy of his time, Mir \'Ali was known to copy numerous manuscripts and poetic verses, some of which he even composed.
The verses read:
Caption
Ali Haravi. Sample of Calligraphy in Persian Nasta'liq Script, 16th century. Ink, opaque watercolors, and gold on paper, 8 13/16 x 5 1/4 in. (22.4 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X629.6. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X629.6_IMLS_PS3.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Calligrapher
Title
Sample of Calligraphy in Persian Nasta'liq Script
Date
16th century
Period
Safavid Period
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolors, and gold on paper
Classification
Dimensions
8 13/16 x 5 1/4 in. (22.4 x 13.3 cm)
Signatures
Mir 'Ali [al-Husaini al-Haravi]
Credit Line
Brooklyn Museum Collection
Accession Number
X629.6
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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