English

These examples of calligraphy from the 1300s are religious texts from different cultures. At left is a page from a Qur’an. Notice the precise lettering of the Arabic script, annotated with diacritics to indicate vowel sounds. Popular in Mamluk-ruled regions, this type of script appears to be a style known as muhaqqaq, which literately means “exact” or “perfectly executed.” [see 15.111.2]

The Egyptian calligrapher used only three lines per page, in contrast to the Italian manuscript at right. This page from an English Book of Hours is notable for its similarly precise lettering and the delicate and intricate use of gold leaf to embellish the lettering at the bottom of the page. Used for devotional purposes, Books of Hours are one of the most common types of illuminated Medieval manuscripts that have survived until today.