Sülüs Karalama - Sheikh Hamdullah

A traditional Sülüs script practice sheet by the master calligrapher Sheikh Hamdullah, showcasing the fluid, rhythmic precision of Ottoman calligraphy.

This work is a karalama, a traditional practice sheet used by Ottoman calligraphers to refine their pen strokes and test the flow of ink. Sheikh Hamdullah, a master of the Ottoman school, is credited with reforming the Sülüs and Nesih scripts, moving away from the rigid styles of the earlier Abbasid tradition toward a more fluid, balanced aesthetic. This specific sheet displays the Sülüs script, characterised by its large, sweeping curves and precise proportions.

The composition features overlapping lines of text, demonstrating the artist's control over the reed pen. The ink sits upon aged, toned paper, which provides a neutral backdrop for the dark, rhythmic forms of the Arabic script. Unlike formal commissions intended for public display or religious texts, this piece offers a glimpse into the private studio practice of a master. It reveals the technical rigour required to achieve the harmonious spacing and letter formation that defined the Ottoman calligraphic canon.

Sheikh Hamdullah's influence on the development of the Ottoman style was immense, as he established a standard for beauty and legibility that persisted for centuries. The karalama serves as a record of the calligrapher's hand, capturing the spontaneous energy of the creative process. The lines demonstrate a mastery of pressure and release, with the ink varying in density as the pen moves across the surface. This print captures the texture of the original paper and the depth of the ink, preserving the historical character of the manuscript. It is a study in the discipline of the written word, reflecting the high value placed on calligraphy within the Ottoman court and intellectual circles.