LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Calligraphy: Art
built 207 days ago
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Calligraphy is the most highly regarded and most fundamental element of Islamic art. It is significant that the Qur’an, the book of God's revelations to the Prophet Muhammad, was transmitted in Arabic, and that inherent within the Arabic script is the potential for developing a variety of ornamental forms. The employment of calligraphy as ornament had a definite aesthetic appeal but often ... included an underlying talismanic component. While most works of art had legible inscriptions, not all Muslims would have been able to read them. One should always keep in mind, however, that calligraphy is principally a means to transmit a text, albeit in a decorative form.
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The term ‘Calligraphy’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Kallos’ meaning beauty and ‘graphe’ meaning writing. Calligraphy is a fine art of skilled penmanship, elegant writing at its best. It was calligraphy that was used to write books and manuscripts on parchment and vellum years before the Gutenberg printing press was invented. In present times Calligraphy is hobby for some and a lucrative business for others.
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Calligraphy has arguably become the most venerated form of Islamic art because it provides a link between the languages of the Muslims with the religion of Islam. The holy book of Islam, the Qur'an, has played an important role in the development and evolution of the Arabic language, and by extension, calligraphy in the Arabic alphabet. Proverbs and complete passages from the Qur'an are still active sources for Islamic calligraphy. The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters and 18 different forms of writing.
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Calligraphy alphabet greatly transcends its simple definition of "beautiful handwriting." Throughout history kings and queens cherished it. Popes and potentates placed armies of scribes in its service. As an ancient art form, it has existed for 4,000 years as a window into the souls of many cultures.
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Calligraphy is a timeless art that age cannot wither. The number of digital typefaces that emulate the characteristics of hand wrought letter forms shows the potential and relevance of calligraphy even today. The stress on cursive aspects and stylistic details are inspirations that every artist draws from this antique art form. Even in this digital age the humanistic touch of an expressive hand is very much sought after.
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Calligraphy is an art and a craft that depends in its execution on the skill of the hand and the discriminating faculties of the mind. Using a pen on paper, the most direct expression of the artist's hand is achieved, while in a printed piece the calligraphy becomes a design that would be transferred onto another surface. The calligraphy must be digitized and its outline drawn through a lengthy process before its final beauty is revealed.
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