Ink and gold
Book Description
Discover the profound spiritual artistry that has flourished across the Islamic world for over twelve centuries through this remarkable visual journey. Marcus Fraser presents a carefully curated collection of more than forty extraordinary examples of Islamic calligraphy and illumination, spanning from the ancient manuscripts of Morocco to the intricate works of Central Asia.
At the heart of this exploration lies the Qur'an, revered as the most transcribed text in Islamic civilization and the wellspring of countless calligraphic masterpieces. These sacred writings reveal how spiritual devotion transforms into breathtaking visual expression, where every stroke of ink becomes an act of worship and contemplation.
Beyond the holy text, this collection unveils the rich diversity of Islamic calligraphic traditions through royal proclamations, artistic albums, and Persian poetry. Each piece demonstrates how the written word serves not merely as communication, but as a bridge between the earthly and divine realms.
Originally created to accompany an exhibition at Berlin's Museum fur Islamische Kunst, this volume offers readers an intimate encounter with works that span continents and centuries. Through these luminous pages, you will witness how generations of artists have channeled their spiritual understanding into forms of extraordinary beauty, creating a legacy where ink and gold unite to express the inexpressible depths of faith and artistic devotion.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~4 hours)
📄 Length: 144 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Koran
- ✓ Explore Islamic Illumination of books and manuscripts
- ✓ Explore Qurʼan
- ✓ Explore Illustrations
- ✓ Explore Calligraphy, arabic
- ✓ Explore Illumination of books and manuscripts, exhibitions
- ✓ Explore Islamic calligraphy
- ✓ Explore Exhibitions
