Mishkin-Qalam
19th-Century Master Artist & Calligrapher
Biography
Mishkin-Qalam (1824-1912), which translates to "The Musk-scented Jet-Black Pen", was the leading 19th-century calligrapher of the Persian Empire.
He was a master of calligraphy and nail-script (which involves the use of a fingernail to emboss artistic imagery onto specially prepared paper), an astronomer, a Sufi and one of the 19 Apostles of the Bahá’í Faith.
Mishkin-Qalam was born Mirza Husayn-i-Isfahani in Isfahan, Persia (modern-day Iran). At the age of 25, he travelled to the capital, Tehran. While he was visiting a shopkeeper friend there in a bazaar, the Chief Minister passed by, dressed in the regal clothes of his office and accompanied by his entourage. Mishkin-Qalam sketched a portrait of the Chief Minister using only his fingernail and presented it to the shopkeeper, bid his friend farewell and left.
Timeline
1824
The Apostle of Baháʼu'lláh and renowned calligrapher Aqa Mirzá Husayn-i-Isfahání (entitled “Mishkin-Qalam”) is born in Shiraz.
1848
Mishkin-Qalam’s father passes away and he travels from Isfahan to Tehran to arrange his family’s affairs.
1850
Mishkin-Qalam is appointed by the Persian King Naser al-Din Shah as the Crown Prince’s art tutor, stationed in Tabriz.
1867
Mishkin-Qalam leaves the Royal Court to meet Baháʼu'lláh in Istanbul.
1868
Mishkin-Qalam is exiled to Cyprus.
1886
Free to leave Cyprus, Mishkin-Qalam boards a Syrian vessel to Akka to be reunited with Baháʼu'lláh.
1892
Mishkin-Qalam’s Beloved, Baháʼu'lláh, passes away in Akka.
1905
Mishkin-Qalam travels to Bombay, India to assist in establishing the first Bahá’í Publishing Trust.
1907
Mishkin-Qalam travels back to Haifa.
1912
Mishkin-Qalam passes away in the Holy Land, and is buried near Bahji, Akka.
Portraits of Mishkin-Qalam
Calligraphic Works
Mishkin-Qalam was a renowned calligrapher whose works have been exhibited in various galleries and museums around the world.
The Greatest Name
Arabic calligraphic rendering of “Yá Baháʼu’l-Abhá” (يا بهاء الأبهى usually translated as “O Thou the Glory of the Most Glorious!”).
Source: Society for Persian Letters & Arts, Landegg Academy, Switzerland (1992). Mishkín-Qalam: XIX Century Artist & Calligrapher. Darmstadt, Germany: Reyhani. ISBN 3906714012
Location: International Archives Building, Haifa.
Size: 20×30 cm
Twin Peacocks and Cypress Tree
Source: Society for Persian Letters & Arts, Landegg Academy, Switzerland (1992). Mishkín-Qalam: XIX Century Artist & Calligrapher. Darmstadt, Germany: Reyhani. ISBN 3906714012
Location: Mansion of Bahji, Akka.
Size: 59×86 cm
Invocation to the Creator
Arabic calligraphic rendering of “Bismilláh al Áali al A’li al A-alál Abhá” (بسم الله العالی العلی الاعلی الابهی translating to “In the name of God, the most High, the Most High, the Most Sublime!”).
Source: Society for Persian Letters & Arts, Landegg Academy, Switzerland (1992). Mishkín-Qalam: XIX Century Artist & Calligrapher. Darmstadt, Germany: Reyhani. ISBN 3906714012
Location: Bahá’í World Center, Haifa.
Size:41×26 cm
Documentary Film
Mishkin-Qalam
The “Mishkin-Qalam” film is currently under consideration for many international film festival awards, and according to standard festival protocol, will be available for public viewing following judging outcome accouncement.