Turkish Calligraphy at 700 Years

M. Şinasi Acar, Türk Hat Sanatı-Araç, Gereç ve Formlar, Istanbul, p. 305 , ISBN 975-7843-03-2

In "Turk Hat Sanati - Arac Gerec ve Formlar" (Turkish Calligraphy -- Tools, Materials and Forms), M. Sinasi Acar introduces readers to the masters and forms of calligraphy as well as its tools.

Although the Turkish Republic uses the Latin alphabet today, artists who were involved in calligraphy are remembered as the most successful calligraphers in the entire world. The success of Turkish calligraphers continues even today as the names of such artists fill the top ranks of calligraphers worldwide.

This new book supports books that have been published in the past on the topic of calligraphy using Arabic letters. The book is made up of three sections. The first section covers paper finishing, reed pens, ink-making formulas, inkstands, sharpening instruments, types of pen sharpeners, pen cases and scissors. The second introduces the forms and shapes in which calligraphy is employed -- the Koran, pieces of poetry, collages of writing, framed inscriptions, descriptions of the Prophet and Muslim prayer books. The third section contains examples of other places where calligraphy is to be seen.

Author Turgay Artam says: "When one has to say something about Ottoman art -- leaving aside architecture -- the most important branch of art is that of Husn-u Hat [calligraphy]. One could say that the art form became so significant that it was considered holy primarily because of the Koran, and this was the reason that particular attention was paid to every instrument which assisted in the writing. The various parts of the process from pen to paper, from pen sharpener to bindings to the paper used in writing have seen great interest in today's auctions."

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