Sajun.org
'''Calligraphy''' (from
Greek καλλι ''calli'' "beauty" + γραφος ''graphos'' "writing") is the art of decorative
writing. A particular style of calligraphy is described as a ''hand''.
Calligraphy at every point in time is a conscious art, which is distinguished from the studies of '''epigraphy''' or '''palaeography''' in general. The study of permanent inscriptions engraved in metal or chiselled into stone and the forms of letters used in them is called
epigraphy (''q.v.''). Epigraphy is a branch of the broader study of ancient handwriting in more general terms, called
palaeography.
Graffiti inscribed on wall surfaces lie between the two.
== Western calligraphy ==
Western calligraphy has its roots in the days of
Greek and
Roman scribes, and evolved during the dark ages due to the efforts put into making
illuminated manuscripts. Hand-written and hand-decorated books became less common after the invention of
printing by
Johann Gutenberg in the
15th century. However, at the end of the
19th century,
William Morris and the
Arts and Crafts Movement rediscovered and popularised calligraphy.
Some important contemporary calligraphers are
Author Baker and
Hermann Zapf. As handwritten forms of communication have become more rare, calligraphy is often reserved for special occasions and events, most notably the addressing of wedding invitations and announcements.
== Chinese and East Asian calligraphy ==
East Asian calligraphy typically uses
ink brushes to write
Chinese characters (called Hanzi in Chinese,
Kanji in
Japanese, and
Hanja in
Korean). Calligraphy (in Chinese, ''
Shufa'' 書法, in Japanese ''
Shodō'' 書道, or "the way of writing") is considered an important art in
East Asia and the most refined form of East Asian
painting.
Calligraphy has influenced most major art styles in
East Asia, including
sumi-e, a style of
Japanese painting based entirely on calligraphy.
== Middle eastern calligraphy ==
Arabic calligraphy is often displayed in
Muslim art, because it serves as an inspiration. The practice of calligraphy is a topic of much
Islamic philosophy. When used decoratively, the writing is so ornate and complex as to be almost unreadable.
de:Kalligrafie
es:Caligrafa
eo:Kaligrafio
fr:Calligraphie
nl:Kalligrafie
ja:書 (造形芸術)
sv:Kalligrafi
tr:Hat Sanatı
wa:Caligrafeye
zh-cn:书法
