Arabic Calligraphy: Naskh Script for Beginners - Softcover

JA'FAR MUSTAFA

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0714114995 ISBN 13: 9780714114996

Publisher: British Museum Press, 2002

Synopsis

The first stroke-by-stroke guide ever produced for learning to write Naskh, one of the six major cursive Arabic scripts. Its origins can be traced back to the late eighth century AD and it is still in use today, over 1300 years later. The Ottoman Turks considered Naskh the script most suited for copying the Qur'an and today more Qur'ans are copied in Naskh throughout the Islamic world than in all other Arabic scripts combined. This introductory workbook makes it possible for everyone to learn and enjoy the beauty of Arabic calligraphy. Based on his experience of running workshops and demonstrations at The British Museum and other cultural institutions around the UK, Mustafa Ja'far has created an easy-to-follow, teach-yourself guide.

About this title

Synopsis:

Naskh is one of the six major cursive Arabic scripts. Its origins can be traced back to the late eighth century AD and it is still in use today, over 1300 years later. In its earliest from Naskh was a utilitarian script, mainly used for ordinary correspondence on papyrus, but during the tenth and eleventh centuries it was completely transformed by the elegant refinements of the great Abbasid calligraphers. The Ottoman Turks also considered Naskh the script most suited for copying the Quran. Today, more Qurans are copied in Naskh throughout the Islamic world than in all other Arabic scripts combined. For centuries, novice Arabic calligraphers have learned the skills of this noble art by practising writing Naskh first, a tradition that continues today. This introductory workbook now makes it possible for everyone to learn and enjoy the beauty of Arabic calligraphy. Based on his experience of running workshops and demonstrations, Mustafa Ja'far has distilled the basics into an easy-to-follow, teach-yourself guide.

About the Author:

Mustafa Ja'far is an artist and graphic designer. His interest in Arabic calligraphy began when he studied the subject in Baghdad under the eminent master calligrapher Hashim Muhammad. He also studied painting and design in Baghdad and Rome and then worked as a creative director in the Gulf region for more than a decade. He has conducted numerous Arabic calligraphy workshops and demonstrations at The British Museum and many other museums and cultural institutions around the UK. Hometown: London, UK

About this edition

• Publisher: British Museum Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0714114995
• ISBN 13: 9780714114996
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32