Hilye-i Şerîf - Mustafa Rakim

A traditional Ottoman Hilye-i Şerîf by master calligrapher Mustafa Rakim, featuring precise Jali Thuluth script and elaborate gold illumination.

The Hilye-i Şerîf is a traditional Ottoman calligraphic composition describing the physical attributes and character of the Prophet Muhammad. Mustafa Rakim, a master of the Jali Thuluth script, refined the aesthetic standards of this genre during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This work displays the characteristic structural elements of the Hilye: the 'başmak' (headpiece), the 'göbek' (central medallion), and the 'etek' (skirt).

The central oval medallion contains the main text, written in a smaller, precise script. Surrounding this are four circular medallions, each bearing the name of one of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. The composition is framed by vertical panels of text, which are balanced by the elaborate illumination in the upper section. The use of gold leaf against deep blue and cream backgrounds creates a sense of visual order and hierarchy, typical of the high Ottoman style.

Mustafa Rakim is recognised for his technical precision and his ability to balance complex geometric arrangements with fluid, rhythmic lettering. His work moved away from the more rigid styles of his predecessors, introducing a sense of proportion and harmony that influenced generations of calligraphers. The illumination, or 'tezhip', complements the script, with floral motifs that frame the text without obscuring its legibility. This print captures the fine details of the original ink work, including the subtle variations in line weight and the application of gold. It is a representative example of the sophisticated visual culture of the Ottoman court, where the written word was elevated to a primary form of artistic expression.