Appreciating The Essence of Arabic Calligraphy

Calligraphy is one of the fundamental elements of Islamic art. Arabic calligraphy is one of the most highly regarded ornamental writings as it is widely believed that it has an underlying talismanic component. As a form of art, most calligraphy paintings have legible inscriptions in Arabic. The artists focus on exploiting the inherent beauty of the Arabic script to create beautiful artworks that are timeless.

Arabic calligraphy began as angular scripts a thousand years ago and has hence evolved into abstract art forms over the 20th century. Today, Arabic written words are incorporated into some of the most stunning and sophisticated artworks around the world.

It’s safe to say that Arabic calligraphy is forged in the rich culture, traditions, and religious beliefs of Islam, with the written word at the center of it. More often than not, artworks feature verses from the Holy book of the Quran, making them as beautiful as it is divine. This is why, many people hang Arabic calligraphy wall art in their living rooms, evoking spiritual energy in their homes.

If you are new to the world of Arabic calligraphy, here are a few interesting facts to keep you intrigued in this art form-

Looking into the past: How Arabic calligraphy came to be

Islamic art in general has 3 key elements namely geometry, arabesque, and calligraphy. These elements are often used together to create some of the most breathtaking designs we see today. As the calligraphy part was primarily developed as a way to spread the Word of Allah through the holy scripture of the Quran, it gained a lot more traction than the other elements when it came to creating humble works of art.

Here are some interesting facts about Arabic Calligraphy-

• Kufic, named after the city of Kufah in Iraq is one of the oldest forms of Arabic calligraphy in angular style.
• The availability of better paper and the use of different calligraphy pens and techniques lead to the development of more proportional scripts, some of which include Naskh and Muhaqqaq.
• Other versions of the Arabic script featuring deep swooping curves developed in Spain and North Africa. Of these, Maghribi is the most famous.
• As the art form developed, artists started framing the scripts with arabesque motifs and geometrical designs.
• One of the most famous female artists of the late 19th century, Ruqiyah Banu created calligraphy using only sheets of white paper and fingernails, called the Nakhuni style.
• By the early 20th century, artists started liberating the Arabic script from its religious context to create purely abstract visual wonders as a consequence of western influences. The movement was known as Huroufiyah, which is now considered a pan-Arabic art movement that connected and united Islamic nations across the globe.
• Today, Arabic calligraphy can be seen across various artworks- from surrealism to cubist abstraction.

While the west influenced artists to get creative with the Arabic script, the true essence of Arabic Calligraphy stays pure and divine to this day, gathering appreciation from around the world.

Where to buy Arabic Calligraphy paintings online

Check out the latest collection of handpicked Arabic calligraphy canvas paintings at the Artecasso website. Buy your favorite paintings today.