c. 1863

Verses in Nasta'liq Script

In the early tenth century, geometric principles for writing calligraphy were established and six styles were standardized, but calligraphy continued to evolve. Nasta'liq script, which originated in the fourteenth century, is said to have arisen during a dream of the master calligrapher Mir 'Ali Tabrizi. According to legend, he envisioned geese whose wings and soaring movement called to mind the shapes of letters. Indeed, nasta'liq is renowned for its line modulation and plunging horizontal letters. Nasta'liq became the preferred script for penning Persian poetry and other secular texts because of its bold, yet elegant, appearance. Here, the calligrapher employs it to write blessings and good wishes.