Reading the Alhambra Chapter 5 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra. In this final posting, we go deeper in reading the more complex kufic scripts and the combination of it with cursive writings. The Nazareth motto "wala Ghalib illa Allah - There is no Victor but God" which it said was taken by the first Nazareth caliphs from the standard raised by the almohads sultan al-Mansur at the Battle of Alarcos; whilst it´s typical version in cursive script is ubiquitous throughout the Alhambra, inscribed in phrases both short and long on surrounding arches and windows, painted on wooden cornices and running along the tops of walls. Its Kufic counterpart forms interesting calligrams in many corners. Here in the pendentives of the Hall of the Two Sisters, creating a tripartite portico. In the arches above the entrance into the Halls of the Abencerrajes and the Two Sisters, the motto is at the center of a delightful triple arch accompanied by 'Barakah'. And on the entrance to the Mirador of Lindaraja, the calligraph changes subtly with 'Allah' forming the base and the rest of the design being completed with plaits arches and foliat motifs. Again, we can see it in the Partal Palace. A singular composition begins with the first half of the motto 'Wala ghalib' in broad Kufic lettering forming two stylised trees and the second half 'illa Allah' is smaller Kufic script tracing scalloped compostion which is repeated twice in each panel. Frequently, the calligrams are not isolated but are repeated to form rows of false arches or porticos. In the mihrab of the Partal obituary, two calligrams are combined "God provides in all adversity" develops into 3 architectural levels, housing foliat elements and an upper cartouche in which it is written "praise be to
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 5 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra. In this final posting, we go deeper in reading the more complex kufic scripts and the combination of it with cursive writings. “There is no victory other than from God”. Inscription frieze, Alhambra. Photo courtesy of Thierry Fétiveau. The
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 4 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra. In the posting, we study the fundamental of kufic scripts that forms the artistic inscriptions on the walls of Alhambra. While most of the poems are inscribed in cursive lettering, also outstanding is the use in the Alhambra of richly ornamental Kufic calligraphy, in many of the exclamatory phrases and sentences. The decorative elements of foliat and floral motifs which, by then, had already been incorporated into the repertoire of Kufic scripts, were even further embellished here with swashes and upward strokes in the shape of columns, platen, plane and scalloped arches, and enjambment. All of which create meta architectural designs which while they cloud the walls, evoke at the same time cunningly, attractive imaginary structures. These are the architectural calligram. The simplest of these use one of the most frequently repeated expressions in the Alhambra is "Barakah" - a blessing. The second of the two letters of the word form an arch which accommodates the first two in a symmetrical construction. Similar calagrams to this fill the walls of the Alhambra, even in its most hidden corners. "Yuum" - good fortune, is also to be seen wherever you look, appearing in friezes of the Mocarabes and cornices interspersed between rhomboid designs and accompanying shields or other expressions and every often repeated in mirror image. In the Hall of Comares, for instance, "God provides in all adversity" written here with Allah at the bottom and the letters of Allah being extended upwards into plaited peaks and arches that circumscribed the rest of the composition. All of which is set off by foliat motifs. And, above the capital for the Mexuar where you will see another commonly used expression in the Alhambra - Perpetual Happiness, forming
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 4 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra. In the posting, we study the fundamental of kufic scripts that forms the artistic inscriptions on the walls of Alhambra. Alhambra. Image by Maatkare from Pixabay While most of the poems are inscribed in cursive lettering, also outstanding is the
