Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folio from a 14-century Qur'an manuscript exemplifies the pinnacle of Islamic calligraphy, a sacred art form revered across the Muslim world. Crafted an unknown master scribe, it features verses from the holy Qur'an rendered in flowing ink scripts, adorned with vibrant opaque watercolors and shimmering gold on fine paper. Measuring 16 3/16 by 12 5/8 inches, its generous size suggests it belonged to a substantial codex, the bound book format that revolutionized manuscript production in the medieval Islamic era. In the 14th century, amid flourishing centers like Baghdad, Cairo, a...