Mir 'Ali

Persian calligrapher in the 17th-century Isfahan atelier tradition, Mir ‘Ali left flowing black-ink compositions on paper and albums that trained eyes as much as hands. His untitled pieces from 1605–1610 and 1620–30 show the curved alif and layered vows that students copied for decades. Later, around 1800, artists still referenced his layouts. See how one stroke can carry both word and weight in Untitled (c. 1620–30).