Calligraphy is the conscience of Arab-Islamic civilization

Books

Books and studies on Arabic calligraphy, manuscripts, and Islamic art history.

2017

Masterpieces of the Egyptian School of Arabic Calligraphy: Selections

This catalogue offers a theoretical study of the rise and origins of Arabic calligraphy — the various theories about its derivation, its birthplace, and its development, and how that development was bound up with the beginnings of Islamic civilization. It also examines the use of the different Arabic scripts in official correspondence, Qur’ans, tombstones, foundation inscriptions, works of art, and more. A dedicated section presents the masterpieces of the Egyptian school of calligraphy, showcasing exquisite specimens by four pioneers of the art in Egypt — Sayed Ibrahim, Muhammad Ibrahim, Kamel Ibrahim, and Khudair al-Borsaidy — recounting each one’s journey with the art and introducing their lives, efforts, and the artistic treasures and pioneering panels they left behind, which still adorn calligraphy exhibitions to this day.

with: Dr. Khaled Azab
Publisher: Bibliotheca Alexandrina

2016

Calligrapher Sayed Ibrahim: A Dialogue of Script and History

A study of the life and work of the “dean of calligraphers” Sayed Ibrahim in light of modern Arabic calligraphy.

Publisher: Kuwait Center for Islamic Arts

2014

Al-Qasr: Reading a City through its Foundation Texts

The first comprehensive reference work to gather the inscriptions of the town of al-Qasr and to document the history of this important region — affirming, on the one hand, the singularity of the place, and on the other, the distinctive character of Arabic calligraphy, especially after some of the inscriptions on the lintels of its houses had been lost. The writings of al-Qasr constitute a distinct school of Arabic calligraphy — and of jali thuluth in particular — that fashioned for itself a defined style well worth documenting, for it offers a picture of the provincial calligraphic styles that prevailed in Egypt during the Ottoman period. The book falls into two parts: the first documents civil foundation texts on the lintels of houses, gateways, and mills; the second documents the foundation inscriptions on shrines and mausoleums.

Publisher: Bibliotheca Alexandrina

2013

Sayed Ibrahim: Biography of the Dean of Calligraphers

A biography of the calligrapher Sayed Ibrahim that traces the main phases of his life, accompanied by a complete catalogue of his masterpieces. Across six chapters it follows his life, influence, circle of friends, and works — including his teaching at the Faculty of Dar al-Ulum, the American University in Cairo, and the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts. Sayed Ibrahim is regarded as a pioneer of Arabic calligraphy and one of the foremost masters of the Egyptian school after the generation of Muhammad Mu’nis Zada and his students.

Publisher: Bibliotheca Alexandrina

2012

The Divan of Arabic Calligraphy in Egypt during Muhammad Ali's Dynasty

The inaugural volume in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina's series “Studies in Contemporary Arabic Calligraphy.” It reads Arabic calligraphy and its history during the dynasty of Muhammad Ali (1805–1952) as a vast epistemic and historical field — one embracing every facet of human creativity — and seeks to understand the history of Egypt through it. Its material was gathered with the help of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Egyptian Society for Arabic Calligraphy, and the families of several eminent Egyptian calligraphers.

with: Dr. Khaled Azab
Publisher: Bibliotheca Alexandrina

2020

Khudair Al-Borsaidy: An Egyptian School of Arabic Calligraphy

A documentary book and artistic encyclopedia on the career and achievement of the great Egyptian and international artist Mosaad Khudair al-Borsaidy — a pioneering figure of singular standing and head of Egypt’s calligraphers’ syndicate. The volume is a significant harvest and a sober study of one of the most important Arab calligraphers of the modern age, surveying his artistic history and calligraphic legacy from his birth and upbringing in Port Said, to the artistic mark he left for several years on Egyptian television, lettering the title sequences of various series and programmes. Published by the Calligraphy Studies Center at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, with a foreword by Prof. Mostafa El-Feki.

Publisher: Bibliotheca Alexandrina