Minneapolis Institute of Art
Panel with calligraphy
MoroccoLinkedCulture matchlcp-be4ceed35a4b
- Date
- second half of 20th century
- Medium
- Polyester, metallic thread
- Department
- Arts of Global Africa
- Institution
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Object ID
- 98341
In Islamic Africa, calligraphy is not only found on writing boards and paper, but also on blades, ceramics, and textiles. Woven into this cloth are two verses from chapters 21 and 96 from the Qur’an. On the right is “Taught man what he did not know, ” which refers to God’s gift of knowledge to humans. The left one, in which God addresses the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), reads: “We did not send you except as a mercy for humankind.” Such striking textiles would be hung in private homes, mosques, or Qur’anic schools. Interpretation of text: Taught man what he did not know. We did not send you but as a mercy for humankind. Morocco
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Provenance & credit
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- Credit line
- Gift of Nobuko Kajitani
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