Page of Calligraphy

Muhammad Husayn al-Katib

late 16th century · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Muhammad Husain al-Katib (Zarrin Qalam), one of the most celebrated calligraphers of Emperor Akbar’s time, signed this folio in the lower triangle. Written in nastaʻliq, which was Akbar’s preferred script, the poetic verses run diagonally across the page with birds marking the beginnings and ends of many couplets. The poetry is by Amir Shahi, a Persian poet of the Timurid period.

Artist

Muhammad Husayn al-Katib

Date

late 16th century

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Richard S. Perkins Gift, Patti Birch Gift, in memory of Everett Birch, and Ehsan Yarshater Gift, 1993