Folio of calligraphy by Kamal al-Din Ikhtiyar al-Munshi al-Sultani (d. 974)

This folio is written in an elaborate cursive style, generally known as shikasta ("broken" in Persian). The script form flourished in sixteenth-century Iran and is characterized by the looping connections of certain letters and by the close, staggered placement of words. The structure of the line tends to be quite dense and is accentuated by the curved alignment of the verses. The use of white, red, yellow, and blue in addition to the traditional black ink heightens the script's complexity.

The calligrapher of this remarkable folio is Kamal al-Din, also known as Vahid al-Ayn, or the "one-eyed." A native of Herat, Kamal al-Din lived for some time in the holy city of Qum and subsequently came to the Safavid capital Tabriz, where he worked at the court of Shah Tahmasb (reigned 1524-76). The king held Kamal al-Din in high regard and offered him many gifts, but the artist accepted none, preferring a simple and humble life. Written in heavily arabicized Persian, this text goes to elaborate design lengths to extol the qualities of a high-ranking individual and bestow good wishes upon him.