The twelfth round of IRCICA’s International Calligraphy Competition, conducted in 2022, received 697 works by 535 participants from 31 countries; out of this total, 61 works, submitted by 49 calligraphers from 10 countries, won awards. The competition was organized in ten categories of styles: Jaly Thuluth, Thuluth, Naskh, Muhaqqaq, Thuluth-Naskh, Jaly Taliq, Taliq, Jaly Diwani, Diwani, Qufi. Its results were announced on 21 May 2022. The Jury, composed of experts from Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Syria and Türkiye, commended the artistic quality of the winning entries.
In line with IRCICA’s tradition to dedicate each round of the competition to an important master of this art, the twelfth round was dedicated to Mustafa Rākım (1758-1826), who contributed to the advancement of this art with innovations in measures and composition, particularly in the Jaly Thuluth style. Mustafa Rākım was also a painter. Sultan Selim III appreciated a painting made by him and invited him to have his portrait made. He was granted the title of müderris (professor), and also assigned with designing coins and writing tughras (monograms). Later Rākım taught Thuluth and Jaly Thuluth calligraphy to Sultan Mahmud II. He produced works in these styles and also in Taliq, writing Jaly inscriptions on monuments and tombstones. As was customary among Ottoman scholarly circles, he was granted the title of Kadı (Judge) of Izmir in his honor. Obtaining several promotions over time, he was finally, in 1823, appointed Kadıasker (Chief Judge) of Anatolia with full status.
The catalogue contains reproductions of the works that won the first three prizes and the mentions in each category. It is a valuable record and a souvenir of the competition, and will also be of interest to learners and appreciators of this art. The present, and earlier, catalogues of the competition can be requested from IRCICA.
