al-Fatihah

An example of a "Fatihah" which introduces the Qur'an by praising God. 'Aliriza may be the 19th-century Persian calligrapher 'Aliriza b. Hajji Muhammad Ja'far, who executed a calligraphic work dated 1258/1842 now held in the National Library of Iran (Bayani 1358/1939, vol. 4, entry 315). 'Aliriza's work shows a revival of interest in the naskh script during the modern period and appears indebted to the calligraphy of his predecessor, the famous 18th-century Persian calligrapher Ahmad Nayrizi. The latter was the last great calligrapher of Iran who mastered the naskh script at a time when preference was given to the ta'liq and nasta'liq scripts. This signed Fatihah constitutes an example of a 19th-century signed and dated Persian calligraphic panel executed in naskh. Dimensions of Written Surface: 12.4 (w) x 18.9 (h) cm This calligraphic panel includes the bismillah at the top, followed by the Qur'an's first surah entitled al-Fatihah (The Opening). The Fatihah introduces the Qur'an by praising God and asking for his guidance to the right path. On the last line, the Fatihah panel is signed by a certain 'Aliriza and dated 1241/1825 ( Selim 1979, 145). The entire specimen is calligraphed in dark brown naskh (cursive) script on a beige paper, which is framed by a series of alternating gold and dark blue frames and pasted on a thick cardboard backing. Script: naskh 1-86-154.136