Levha (Dua) - Dua

A traditional Islamic levha featuring elegant Arabic calligraphy in the Thuluth style, framed by a decorative marbled border.

This work presents a traditional Islamic levha, a form of wall-mounted calligraphy designed for contemplation. The composition features Arabic script arranged with precision, demonstrating the technical rigour required in classical calligraphic practice. The central text is balanced by secondary inscriptions, creating a structured visual hierarchy that directs the eye through the curves and vertical strokes of the lettering.

The script exhibits the characteristics of Thuluth, a style known for its elongated vertical lines and sweeping, curved forms. The artist employs varying line weights to create a sense of rhythm, where the thick, bold strokes provide a foundation for the lighter, more delicate flourishes. This interplay of weight and space is a hallmark of the tradition, where the beauty of the written word is considered a reflection of spiritual order.

The central panel is framed by a border that mimics the appearance of ebru, or paper marbling. This technique, which involves floating pigments on a thickened water bath before transferring them to paper, adds a tactile quality to the presentation. The marbled border provides a contrast to the stark, monochromatic clarity of the central calligraphy, grounding the work in a decorative tradition that has been practised for centuries across the Ottoman world and beyond.

As a piece of calligraphic art, this levha functions as both a text and a visual object. The arrangement of the letters is not merely functional but is composed to fill the rectangular space in a harmonious manner. The inclusion of smaller, secondary script around the perimeter adds a layer of depth to the composition, inviting the viewer to observe the work closely. This print captures the balance between the disciplined execution of the script and the fluid, organic patterns of the surrounding marbled frame.