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Sultan Abdülmecid (1823-1861)

Calligraphic composition

19. yüzyıl ortası

Sabancı Üniversitesi Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi (Emirgan, İstanbul, Türkiye)

This kıt’a by Abdülmecid consists of one line of sülüs and three lines of nesih. The sülüs line consists of two verses from the Koran: ‘Read! Your God is the most generous. He is the one who taught writing with a pen’ (Alak: 3-4). The nesih lines consist of two hadith: ‘The Prophet of God–may God’s salutations be upon him–declared: Just and modest ruler, shadow and spear of God on earth. The merit of seventy saints be upon him. The Prophet of God spake truthfully’ and  ‘O my God! Grant prayers and salutations upon our Lord Muhammad and all his family.’ The choice of texts relating to monarchy is significant. Inside the pyriform motif in the centre of the decorated oval cartouche in the lower part of the composition is the colophon reading, Ketebehu Abdülmecid b. Mahmud Han (Written by Abdülmecid, son of Mahmud Han). This is surrounded by purple branches and angular lines on a mauve ground, with bunches of grapes hanging from the branches. On either side of the rectangular cartouche containing the lines in nesih are a long feathery blue saz leaf and a stem bearing white flowers and green leaves springing from the oval cartouche. Below these are sprigs of blue leaves. There are similar blue saz leaves and blue leafy sprigs on either side of the line of sülüs at the top of the composition. The decoration in the narrow and broad borders is in a similar style that reflects 19th century tastes and is frequently found on calligraphy by Sultan Abdülmecid.

Detail

Title
Calligraphic composition
Date
19. yüzyıl ortası
Dimensions
28,5 x 33,5 cm
Medium
Sized paper, black ink, paint, gold
Location
Sabancı Üniversitesi Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi (Emirgan, İstanbul, Türkiye)
Credit
© Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum


Categories

Subject

Kitap Sanatları ve Hat Koleksiyonu

Format

Sized paper, black ink, paint, gold

Date / Term

19. yüzyıl ortası

Geographical Location

Istanbul, Turkey