Who painted Qur'an Manuscript Folio (recto; verso) [Left side of Bifolio]?

Qur'an Manuscript Folio (recto; verso) [Left side of Bifolio] was painted by Unknown in 1400.

Where can I see Qur'an Manuscript Folio (recto; verso) [Left side of Bifolio]?

Qur'an Manuscript Folio (recto; verso) [Left side of Bifolio] is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Qur'an Manuscript Folio (recto; verso) [Left side of Bifolio]

Qur'an Manuscript Folio (recto; verso) [Left side of Bifolio] is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1400 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This artwork is a folio from a Qur'an manuscript, featuring Arabic calligraphy on cream-colored paper.

Accession no.: 1933.473.2
Credit line: Edward L. Whittemore Fund

About this work

You see black ink on cream paper: long, looping Arabic letters in neat rows, with gold dots between lines and a thin red border.

You see black ink on cream paper: long, looping Arabic letters in neat rows, with gold dots between lines and a thin red border.

This page comes from a Qur’an made in Egypt when the Mamluk sultans ruled. The calligrapher used a script called muhaqqaq, thick downstrokes, thin upstrokes, so the words feel both strong and light. The gold dots aren’t decoration; they mark where to pause while reciting.

Look up Mamluk Sultanate (1250–1517) to see more objects from the same era.

Overview

This artwork is a folio from a Qur'an manuscript, featuring Arabic calligraphy on cream-colored paper. The page is adorned with gold dots and a thin red border, and is part of a bifolio.

Subject & Meaning

The text is from the 53rd chapter (Surah An-Najm) of the Qur'an, and the calligraphy is a representation of the revered scripture. The use of calligraphy in Islamic art is highly esteemed, and its significance extends beyond religious contexts to secular objects.

Technique & Style

The calligrapher employed the muhaqqaq script, characterized by thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes, creating a sense of strength and lightness. Gold dots between the lines indicate pauses for recitation, serving a functional purpose beyond ornamentation.

History & Provenance

The manuscript originated in Egypt during the Mamluk Sultanate period, a time of significant cultural and artistic production. The artwork is part of a larger collection of objects from this era.