Thuluth
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Thuluth (
History
The greatest contributions to the evolution of the Thuluth script occurred in the Ottoman Empire in three successive steps that Ottoman art historians call "calligraphical revolutions":
- The first revolution occurred in the 15th century and was initiated by the master calligrapher Sheikh Hamdullah.[1][2]
- The second revolution resulted from the work of the Ottoman calligrapher
- Finally, in the late 19th century, Mehmed Şevkî Efendi gave the script the distinctive shape it has today.[5][6][7]
Artists
The best known artist to write the Thuluth script at its zenith is said to be Mustafa Râkım Efendi (1757–1826), a painter who set a standard in Ottoman calligraphy which many believe has not been surpassed to this day.[8]
Usage
Thuluth was used to write the headings of
The script is used in the Flag of Saudi Arabia where its text, Shahada al Tawhid, is written in Thuluth.
Style
An important aspect of Thuluth script is the use of harakat ("hareke" in Turkish) to represent vowel sounds and of certain other stylistic marks to beautify the script. The rules governing the former are similar to the rules for any Arabic script. The stylistic marks have their own rules regarding placement and grouping which allow for great creativity as to shape and orientation. For example, one grouping technique is to separate the marks written below letters from those written above.
Scripts developed from Thuluth
Since its creation, Thuluth has given rise to a variety of scripts used in calligraphy and over time has allowed numerous modifications. Jeli Thuluth was developed for use in large panels, such as those on tombstones. Muhaqqaq script was developed by widening the horizontal sections[clarification needed] of the letters in Thuluth. Naskh script introduced a number of modifications resulting in smaller size and greater delicacy. Tawqi is a smaller version of Thuluth.
Gallery
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Line in thuluth written by Yaqut al-Musta'simi (d. 1298). Library of Congress.
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Mihrab in the winter prayer hall of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan with inscription in carved stucco in thuluth designed by Haydar (d. 1325/1326)
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Mamluk enamelled flask. Its shoulder bears a wide band with a dedication to an unnamed sultan in thuluth. Egypt or Syria, first half of the 14th century. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art.
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Opening pages from the Mamluk Qur'an with first verse of Al-Fatiha in monumental thuluth script. Egypt, late 1350s. Egyptian National Library.
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Album leaf from muraqqa by Sheikh Hamdullah in thuluth (upper panel) and naskh script. Istanbul, between 1500–1520 (illumination from 18th century). Chester Beatty Library.
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Inscription in thuluth at the Southern Portal of Taj Mahal, designed by Amanat Khan Shirazi. Agra, between 1631–1638.
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Album leaf from muraqqa by Hâfiz Osman in thuluth (upper panel) and naskh script. Istanbul, 1693/1694. Museum of Islamic Art, Berlin.
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Levha (calligraphic inscription) in jeli thuluth by Mustafa Râkim. Istanbul, between 1809 –1826. Sakıp Sabancı Museum.
References
- ^ "Hüseyin Kutlu: Hat sanatı kalemi şevk edebilmektir - Kalem Güzeli". www.kalemguzeli.net. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ Pritchett, Frances. "hamdullah1500s". www.columbia.edu. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ Üniversitesi, İstanbul. "İstanbul Üniversitesi - Tarihten Geleceğe Bilim Köprüsü - 145". www.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ Ali, Wijdan. "From the Literal to the Spiritual: The Development of Prophet Muhammad's Portrayal from 13th Century Ilkhanid Miniatures to 17th Century Ottoman Art Archived 2004-12-03 at the Wayback Machine". In Proceedings of the 11th International Congress of Turkish Art, eds. M. Kiel, N. Landman, and H. Theunissen. No. 7, 1–24. Utrecht, The Netherlands, August 23–28, 1999, p. 7
- ^ "Mehmed Şevki Efendi". wordpress.com. 1 October 2006. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy". www.bilgininadresi.net. Archived from the original on 5 March 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Türk Ýslam Sanatlarý - Tezyini Sanatlar Archived 2012-06-30 at archive.today
- ^ Journal of Ottoman Calligraphy :: RAKIM: “Mustafa Rakim” (1757 - 1826) :: April :: 2006 Archived 2008-03-06 at the Wayback Machine