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Evolution of Islamic Wall Art

Baradari arts591 03-Jun-2019

           Evolution of Islamic Wall Art

Are you looking for Islamic wall art for sale? We are not surprised because Islamic wall art for sale is an unparalleled tradition in which verses from the Holy Quran are written, painted, engraved in calligraphic styles on the walls of monuments, buildings, and even homes.  

The mainstay of Islamic wall is for sale is Arabic calligraphy, which got a head start after the establishment of Islam as the predominant faith in the Arabian peninsula. As Islam does not allow the drawing of human beings, birds and animals, the walls of monuments were covered with verses of the Quran etched or carved in calligraphy.

Calligraphy, the Greek-origin word for beautiful, stylish handwriting, became the primary form of wall art in Muslim-ruled territories, from the Ottoman empire in West Asia to the Mughal dynasty in the Indian Subcontinent. From the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, the most well-known Muslim monuments are replete with Quranic verses engraved in artistic fonts.

For the benefit of the calligraphers, the Arabic script was apt for their art. The Arabic script is filled with loops, curves, dots, dashes and diacritical symbols that can be deftly maneuvered to create a beautiful piece of writing. Letters of the Arabic alphabet can be reduced to less than half their size and can be seamlessly joined with other letters.

As Muslims conquered different parts of the world, they hired skilled calligraphers to make Islamic calligraphy art for the walls of their monuments. The artists would also be required to paint, carve, stitch, or etch text on handicrafts like ceramics, wooden artifacts, and carpets. Calligraphers were also employed to write court scrolls.

Each region developed its own unique font of Arabic calligraphy. The straight, angular Kufic style took root in Iraq; the ornate, elaborate and intricate Diwani school flourished in Istanbul, Turkey; the free-hand, figurative Tughra writing style thrived in parts of India.

As European colonists ran over Muslim-ruled empires, Arabic calligraphy received a setback in the absence of patronage but made a comeback when new nations gained independence after World War II.

OF late, there has been a surge in interest in Muslim wall art primarily on account of the prevalence of e-commerce. From historical edifices, Arabic calligraphy now thrives in modern, minimal spaces. Due to digital technology, e-commerce, and the expanding incomes and exposure of people, Islamic calligraphy is seeing a revival in the form of ‘Islamic wall art for sale’. Nowadays, there are several boutique stores on the Internet which sell Muslim wall art in the form of low-priced vinyl wall decals, premium digital prints on canvas or paper, and stainless steel frame. They also make bespoke pieces for clients.

Now, English translations are also becoming a part of Muslim wall art as the majority of Muslims, some eighty percent, are not native Arabic speakers. This introduction of English in Islamic wall art for sale is quite a significant development and is indicative of the overall big changes in the demographic profile of buyers.



Updated 07-Sep-2019

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