Calligraphy

Calligraphy (from Greek καλλος kallos "beauty" + γραφος graphos "writing") is the art of decorative writing. A style of calligraphy is described as a hand.

Western calligraphy

Western calligraphy is the calligraphy of the Latin writing system, and to a lesser degree the Greek and Cyrillic writing systems. Early alphabets had evolved by about 3000 BC. From the Greek alphabet evolved the Latin alphabet. Capital letters were developed first and lower case letters were invented considerably later.

Related Topics:
Greek - Cyrillic

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Long, heavy rolls of papyrus were replaced by the Romans with the first books, initially simply folded pages of parchment made from animal skins. Reed pens were replaced by quill pens.

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Christianity gave a boost to the development of writing through the prolific copying of the Bible and other sacred texts.

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Uncial letters were used by monks in Ireland, Scotland, and other places, hence the name "Insular style" for this type of writing. This was also the heyday of the illuminated manuscript.

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Charlemagne made a big difference to the spread of beautiful writing by bringing Alcuin, the Abbot of York, to his capital of Aachen. Alcuin undertook a major revision of all styles of script and all texts. He then developed a new "hand" named after his patron Charlemagne: "Carolingian minuscule style".

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The Fraktur followed in the 11th century, and Italy contributed Chancery and Italic scripts.

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What followed was the heyday of the illuminated manuscript.

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Hand-written and hand-decorated books became less common after the invention of printing by Johann Gutenberg in the 15th century. However, at the end of the 19th century, William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement rediscovered and popularised calligraphy. Many famous calligraphers were influenced by Morris, especially Edward Johnston, Eric Gill and others.

Related Topics:
Printing - Johann Gutenberg - 15th century - 19th century - William Morris - Arts and Crafts Movement

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Some important contemporary calligraphers are Arthur Baker and Hermann Zapf. As handwritten forms of communication have become more rare, calligraphy is often reserved for special occasions and events, most notably the addressing of wedding invitations and announcements. However, graffiti-style lettering, a dramatic, angular, block hand, has become common in various media since the 1970s. Graffiti is especially associated with hip-hop, being one of its "four elements".

Related Topics:
Arthur Baker - Hermann Zapf - Graffiti - 1970s - Hip-hop

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In the United Kingdom many calligraphers belong to the Society of Scribes and Illuminators, which provides training and development to members.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Society of Scribes and Illuminators

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There are many calligraphic typefaces such as Fraktur, Lombardis, Uncial, Italic, Roundhand, and Blackletter.

Related Topics:
Fraktur - Uncial - Italic - Roundhand - Blackletter

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Copperplate is name of a style of calligraphic writing, using a sharp pointed nib instead of the flat nib used in most calligraphic writing. Its name comes from the sharp lines of the writing style resembling the etches of engraved copper. The Copperplate typeface attempts to emulate copper engraved letters.

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See also:

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• List of typographic features
• Typographic Emphasis
• Typography
• Typographic units