Geneva museum exhibits masterpieces of Arabian book production

Geneva’s Art and History Museum is staging an exhibition titled “Princes, Poets and Paladins,” which highlights the artistic qualities of Arabian calligraphy and artistic book production throughout the centuries.

Geneva’s Art and History Museum is staging an exhibition titled “Princes, Poets and Paladins,” which highlights the artistic qualities of Arabian calligraphy and artistic book production throughout the centuries.

The museum is exhibiting 150 masterpieces from the 14th to the 19th century.

All the exhibits – single pages and manuscripts — have been selected by a representative of the British Museum from the collection of the Prince and Princess Aga Khan.

Manuscripts in Arabic became a key tool in propagating the Koran centuries ago. And once Arabian script became sufficiently standardised, historical Islamic dynasties encouraged the production of religious manuscripts.

This initiated a veritable art of the book in the royal workshops and assembled some of the greatest calligraphists and most accomplished painters.

Written by SRI staff.