The originality of the Kufic calligraphy in architecture The landmarks of Tlemcen as an example

Abstract

Arabic calligraphy has been widely recognized across the Islamic world, traversing from the East to the West where it was extensively utilized in various fields of architecture and the arts. This rendered calligraphic ornamentation a hallmark of Islamic art, attaining a level of quality unparalleled by any previous civilization. This achievement is attributed to the departure of artists from the mimicry of nature and representation of living beings, allowing them to innovate and excel in the execution of calligraphic motifs. Kufic script, in particular, stands out as one of the strongest features of Islamic art that emerged prominently in the East and proliferated throughout the West to become a key characteristic of Islamic art. This paper aims to explore the evolution of Kufic calligraphy in the central Maghreb city of Tlemcen, Algeria, through the examination of selected samples.