From Library Journal
A revised and expanded version of the 1976 edition, this scholarly study displays several hundred spectacular examples of an art form that is underappreciated in the West. Independent scholars living in Morocco, the authors begin by providing a conceptual and historical background to the meaning and origins of Islamic calligraphy. They then explicate the aesthetics, techniques, styles, and structure of the art. New chapters on the use of calligraphy in architecture and contemporary painting (featuring artists Hoosier Zenderoudi, Rashid Koraishi, and Shakir Hassan) enrich the coverage of the subject. The text, which contains information of unquestionable value, is marred only by the turgidly academic writing. Still, this is recommended for public libraries for its illustrations and highly recommended for academic libraries with an interest in the arts.?Eugene C. Burt, Art Inst. of Seattle Lib.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Synopsis
Calligraphy is the art which combines visual image and written word. This book combines photographed examples with a background history and an analysis of the geometrical and ornamental principles of this graphic form of writing. Islamic calligraphy takes its inspiration from the Muslim belief in the divine origin of Arabic writing. Its use in sacred and official texts has given rise to a calligraphic tradition that has flourished for over 1000 years, not only in manuscript decoration but in architecture, sculpture, ceramics and paintings. With new chapters on the role of calligraphy in architecture and contemporary painting, this revised edition provides a comprehensive survey of the subject from its earliest origins to today. Examples of scripts, including kufic, thuluth, naskhi and maghribi, are shown in a series of photographs which produce manuscript pages, paintings and other works of art.