The artist Antonella Leoni is an Italian-born artist and distinguished expert in Art History and Islamic Art, currently residing in Cairo.
She holds a Diploma in Asian Arts from the British Museum / University of London and the prestigious Diploma in the Art of Arabic Calligraphy and Ornaments at the Academy Khalil Agha in Cairo in 2019.
- Likes
- 25113
- Views
- 3545232
- Followers
- 100
- Following
- 5
This piece is a journey into the heart of divine love. I chose the words of Rabia al-Adawiyya—عرفت الهوى مذ عرفت هواك ('I have known love since I have known Your love')—because they describe the moment where human affection is eclipsed by something eternal.I wanted the dervish to look as if he is emerging directly from the papyrus itself, dissolving into the words he is spinning for.
The gold and ochre background represents the warmth of that divine presence, while the white ink of the calligraphy stands out like a clear, focused thought amidst the ecstasy of the dance. Working on such a large scale ($190\text{x}90\text{ cm}$) allowed me to feel the physical rhythm of the poem. For me, this isn't just a painting; it’s a prayer. I hope that when you stand before it, you don't just see the colors or the letters, but you feel the vibration of a soul finally finding its home