Ibn Muqla
(885-940 A.D.)
Full name:
Abu ‘Ali Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali, known as Ibn Muqla (“Son of Muqla”)
What he did:
- Codified the six scripts (al aqlam al-sitta) that became the foundation for the practice of calligraphy to come
- Established a proportional writing system that used a circle with the diameter of the letter alif as its basis
- Wrote extensively about the art of calligraphy and devised theories of letter shapes
Biography:
- Born in Baghdad
- Became a scribe in the administration of the ‘Abbasid caliphate (750-1258)
- Became head of the state library
- Was made vizier (chief counselor) three times between 928 and 936, all under different rulers
- Was imprisoned three times during periods of political turmoil
- During one imprisonment, his enemies cut off his right hand. When released, he continued to work with great skill using his left hand
- Finally, his left hand was severed, his tongue cut out, and he was cast into prison where he died
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Ibn Muqla's proportional writing system
The six scripts
