Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2014
Poster Presentation
Pseudo- Kufic
Dana Franklin
Faculty Mentor: Sherry Lindquist
Art
The purpose of this pseudo-kufic research is to understand how an Islamic decorative
element begins to show up in Christian artworks. Pseudo-kufic is seen in textiles,
religious alter pieces, and interestingly on the trim of the Virgin Mary’s clothing. This
research will examine eight pieces of artwork from medieval and early renaissance; two
from Italy, two from Sicily, two from France, and two from Spain. Through the
examination of these artworks there is a common decorative aspect that shows up in all
of the works, pseudo-kufic. Pseudo-kufic is an imitation of Arabic script that was
adopted and came to be used for decorative purpose. It is interesting that the decorative
element of pseudo-kufic shows up in many artworks, including religious works, across
the lower portion of Europe, which is mainly a Christian. Although the lower portion of
Spain and Sicily were Islamic, pseudo-kufic was adapted into many Christian artworks,
some of which show up on the trim of the Virgin Mary. By examining these eight
medieval and early renaissance artworks I will show that pseudo-kufic was not only
adapted because of the expansion of Islam through the lower portion of Europe but it
was also through cross-cultural exchanged that pseudo-kufic shows up as a decorative
element in textiles, religious works, and in architecture.