Masters Of Persian Calligraphy

Iran is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The first Persian Empire, the Achaemenid Empire, was founded by Cyrus the Great is 550 BC. Iranian calligraphy is the art of decorative handwriting or lettering in the Persian language, which is written from right to left. Persian calligraphy in the present form was regularized more than 500 years ago using the Persian alphabet of 32 letters. Artists use reed pen and ink for creating their works.

There are 300 masters in the Iranian Calligraphers Association established 1950, who teach Persian calligraphy to more than 50,000 students at 309 branches in the 31 provinces of Iran. The Iranian Calligraphers Association has 6 branches in foreign countries including Canada, Germany, England, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. After taking and passing different exams, students are ranked in six categories: elementary, intermediate, good, excellent, distinguished, and brilliant. After training students from lower categories, brilliant Calligraphers will achieve the highest title: Master of Persian Calligraphy. Usually it takes more than 20 years to become a Master in Persian Calligraphy.

Persian poems are the main subject of calligraphy. Students learn five different styles: Taliq, Nastaliq, Shekasteh Nastaliq, Naskh, and Thuluth. The most popular styles in Iran are Nastaliq and Shekasteh Nastaliq. For writing Quran verses, Naskh and Thuluth are the main styles. In this exhibition, you will see 30 works from 28 Masters. Stules used in these works are Nastaliq, Shekasteh Nastaliq, Naskh, and Calligraphy & Painting.