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Manuscript page from a Qur’an, from Suras 75 and 76

African; Moroccan

Artwork Details

Manuscript page from a Qur’an, from Suras 75 and 76
early 18th century
African; Moroccan
ink, red ochre, paper on paper
10 5/8 x 7 13/16 in. (26.99 x 19.84 cm);10 5/8 x 7 13/16 in. (26.99 x 19.84 cm);19 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (48.89 x 36.2 cm);10 5/8 x 8 in. (26.99 x 20.32 cm)
Museum Purchase
1959/1.146

On Display

Not currently on display

Tags

Description

March 28, 2009
For Muslims, Arabic script, representing the language of their holy book, the Qur’an, is a thing of sublime beauty. Arabic calligraphy links the spiritual and aesthetic dimensions of the written work and figures significantly in the visual and healing arts of the Islamic world.
There are many styles of Arabic calligraphy. This page from a north African Qur’an is written in a script called Maghribi, which was developed in the western region of north Africa. Maghribi is a variation of the ancient Kufic script, known for its angular form. Maghribi script features sweeping curves that soften the angularity of its Kufic characters. Diacritical marks indicated in red facilitate the reading of this script.

Subject Matter:

Maghribi script originated in North Africa and has been used for centuries to write the Qur'an, the foundational book in Islam. The paper was imported from Spain, but the manuscript was assembled and written in North Africa, possibly in Morocco. 
The elaborate calligraphic script in Arabic communicated the importance of this text to readers. The yellow and green marks indicate the pronunciation of words and signal particular initials. The red marks provide even more guidance in pronouncing and deciphering the text; it is possible these marks were made by a later owner after the manuscript was originally written. 
The two sides of this page contain parts of the 75th and 76th suras (chapters) of the Qur'an.

Physical Description:

Arabic calligraphic script on paper; script is in Maghribi style, written in black ink with touches of green and rec ochre. Shadows of script (from reverse or opposite page, transferred while closed?) show through. Beige paper is browned with age at edges; upper left has repaired tear.

Usage Rights:

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