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Ibn Muqla

Type Figure Region Iraq Time c. 886–940 Also known as Abu Ali Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Muqla

Ibn Muqla was a leading Abbasid statesman and calligraphy innovator of the tenth century who created a proportional script system, shaping Islamic ca…

Timeline

  1. c. 886–908Baghdad · MesopotamiaBorn into a family of scribes, he entered the court chancery through his calligraphic talent, rose to senior scribe, and began exploring geometric proportions to regulate the forms of Arabic letters.
  2. c. 908–932Baghdad · MesopotamiaHe served three times as chancellor, controlling government and finances, while perfecting the proportional script system and establishing six script standards based on the dot and the length of the alif, becoming a model for later calligraphy.
  3. c. 932–940Baghdad · MesopotamiaLosing power amid court factional struggles, he was imprisoned and tortured with mutilation such as hand-cutting, yet continued calligraphic work in prison; after his death his proportional script system was carried on by disciples and influenced writing arts across the Islamic world.

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