Muhaqqaq Script in Arabic Calligraphy: An Historical Study and Artistic Application

Nassar is a calligrapher from Jordan who received a calligraphy diploma (ijaza) from the renowned Turkish calligrapher, Hassan Chalabi, in 2003. He summarises his thesis saying, “This thesis aims at a revival of Muhaqqaq, one of the major Arabic scripts whose origin reveals much about the early development of Arabic calligraphy. It explores the development of Muhaqqaq and its transformation from a style into a distinct script, through an analysis of the work of two calligraphic masters, Ibn al Bawwab (d. 413/1022) and Yaqut al Musta’simi (d.698/1298), and their followers.” Nassar completed three projects for his doctoral research; a new Muhaqqaq copybook, a group of calligraphic panels in Muhaqqaq to demonstrate its adaptability in decorative applications, and finally, a series of monumental calligraphic inscriptions in Muhaqqaq illustrating its use on this scale. Through his work Nassar aims to contribute to the revival of the Muhaqqaq script, and to the recognition of its relevance for today’s calligraphers.