Origins of Ottoman Calligraphy

Islamic calligraphy has a long tradition, with examples, such as a mosaic band decorating the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, dating to the seventh century. "Letters in Gold" demonstrates the particularly Ottoman contribution to the venera ble tradition. For in the 15th century, after imitating their predecessors for many years, Ottoman calligraphers in Turkey began to place the early masters under critical scrutiny as they refined and elaborated new methods.