AP Art History : Identifying artists, works, or schools of 2D art in global Islamic traditions
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Example Question #3 : 2 D Art In Global Islamic Traditions
The earliest style of calligraphy used to copy the Koran is known as __________.
Bismallah
Hijazi
Kufic
Shahadah
Kufic
Kufic calligraphy, easily identifiably by its blockier style, was the first form of calligraphy used by Muslims to transcribe the Koran in the seventh through ninth centuries. Although hardly used today, it is the basis for modern Arabic calligraphy, including those used for the Shahadah, the key creed of Islam, and the Bismillah, the invocation of God's name, which are common themes of Arabic calligraphy. Kufic led to the development of more "cursive" styles of calligraphy like Hijazi and Diwani.
Example Question #4 : 2 D Art In Global Islamic Traditions
Based on style and composition, the work of art shown here was created in _________________.
Kashmir
Istanbul
Persia
Byzantium
Persia
This work, known as Bahram Gur Fights the Karg, is from an illustrated version of the great Persian epic poem Shahnama. The text itself, in Persian script, is the most obviously Persian element, but the carefully composed miniature painting on paper in ink is also a significant feature of Persian art. Also, the image is of a human being, differing it from other Islamic art which traditionally forbade the depiction of human figures, a prohibition not as strictly followed in Persia.
Work is in the public domain, image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Demotte_Shahname_002.jpg
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