Islamic Calligraphy

by Sheila S. Blair

Overview

Joint 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780748635405
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
Publication date:	10/23/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	720
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Sheila Blair is Norma Jean Calderwood University Professor of Islamic and Asian Art and the Boston College and Hamad bin Khalifa Endowed Chair of Islamic Art, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Table of Contents

List of FiguresList of AbbreviationsGlossaryIndexPart I: Introduction Chapter 1: Arabic Script: Its Role and PrinciplesChapter 2: MaterialsPart II: The Development of Arabic Script in Early Islamic TimesChapter 3: The Standardization of Arabic ScriptChapter 4: Early Manuscripts of the KoranPart III: The Pre-Eminence of Round Scripts in the Early Middle PeriodChapter 5: The Adoption of Round ScriptsChapter 6: The Proliferation of Round ScriptsPart IV: The Emergence of Regional Styles in the Later Middle PeriodChapter 7: Calligraphy in Iran and its Environs under the Mongols and TurkomansChapter 8: Rectilinear and Curvilinear Scripts in Egypt and Syria under the MamluksChapter 9: Other Styles and CentersPart V: Dynastic Styles in the Age of EmpiresChapter 10: The Safavids, the Qajars, and their Contemporaries in Iran and Central AsiaChapter 11: The Ottomans in Anatolia, the Balkans, and the Eastern MediterraneanChapter 12: Other Styles and CentersPart VI: The Many Faces of Islamic Calligraphy in Modern TimesChapter 13: From Traditional Styles to Graphic Design and Calligraphic ArtBibliographyCopyright AcknowledgementsIndex

Editorial Reviews

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

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

Blair has produced a magisterial treatment of a very demanding subject, densely annotated by very readable.

Religion and the Arts - John Renard

I can think of no one more qualified to produce such a volume… Sheila Blair is a recognized and highly-regarded expert in the field.

W. M. Thackston

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.

Robert Hillenbrand

Blair has produced a magisterial treatment of a very demanding subject, densely annotated by very readable.

— John Renard

Religion and the Arts