Line as an Enriching Element in the Pictorial Composition (A Study in the Works of Students of the Faculty of Fine Arts

Abstract

This research presents an exploration of Arabic letters, their aesthetics, and their diverse styles, which are deeply rooted in traditional scripts, societal culture, and the historical legacy of the Arab nation. It emphasizes the capacity of Arabic letters to interact artistically with the components of visual artworks. My inspiration for this study stems from my deep passion and enthusiasm for Arabic calligraphy, as well as from my experience teaching the course "Aesthetics of Arabic Calligraphy" to fourth-year students at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Sabratha. The study includes a methodological framework and a historical overview of the development of Arabic script. The practical section features a selection of artworks in which Arabic letters appear as visual, artistic, and aesthetic elements within the pictorial composition. As an academic researcher, I was committed to following scientific research methods. The study adopted the historical approach to document and record artistic works related to Arabic script, beginning with the writings of the Canaanites—who used alphabetic letters—through the masterpieces of Arabic calligraphy in Islamic art, and leading up to contemporary Arab artistic expressions. In addition, the descriptive method was employed to classify and describe the forms, types, and styles of Arabic calligraphy. This was followed by the analytical method, through which I was able to analyze several artworks involving Arabic script from artistic and aesthetic perspectives, ultimately leading to key findings and recommendations