The Impact of the Eras and Varieties of Kufic art, on the Placement of Kufic in Architectural Design

Abstract

Kufic script is a form of calligraphy that has been in existence since the earliest years of Islam. A glance at arts in Islamic states reveals that calligraphy and a number of other art forms fared well, as painting was considered objectionable on religious grounds. The introduction of different versions of calligraphy for use in such buildings produces a wealth of images, enhancing the aesthetics of the buildings. Kufic reached its zenith in the Ottoman state, and the most glamorous examples of Kufic in architecture of Turkish states can be found in Ottoman structures. Kufic exhibits certain variations in terms of the forms used and the spots occupied in structures. This study is a comparative analysis of the types of Kufic and spots used in architectural design, and an analysis of the important examples, for a more complete picture of the varieties of Kufic used in various periods. Keywords: Kufic, Kufic in Ottoman state, Kufic and architecture, Kufic and mosques.