This post is a bit different and is on a form of art practiced in a similar manner by numerous people rather than a particular work. Calligraphy, while as old as writing itself, still continues today. It appears in both a handwritten form, such as on wedding invitations or on state documents, and continues to influence the very modern aesthetic of computer font design. What I intend to demonstrate in this essay is that calligraphy is not simply beautiful writing but a form of visual art in and of itself, and that lettering can truly be a great work of art.
The word "calligraphy" indicates many forms such as "Western" calligraphy, the writing of the Latin alphabet, or other calligraphies used in the writing of Arabic for example. I am going to limit this essay to western calligraphy. Calligraphy is also heavily tied to computer fonts, and some modern calligraphers use tablet computers to practice their art. Simply for the sake of brevity, I will be discussing handwritten calligraphy, the most recognizable form, but the art of calligraphy is not limited to what can be written with a calligraphy pen.
On the subject of tools, calligraphy is separated from conventional writing by the tools that are used. Whether you have beautiful handwriting or a barely legible chicken scratch, calligraphy is a separate style altogether. A calligrapher uses specially made pens with very precise tips and brushes to create thicker lines. The ink used in calligraphy is different than what can be found in most school bookstores or corner drugstores. Paper must be very high quality to create the proper image, and often pencil lines are used to make the letters appear neat.
Even the letters themselves are formed differently. In traditional calligraphy, letters have a very precise stroke order. There are rules governing the movements of the pen, for example, often when making a vertical line, such as the letter "L" only a downward stroke may be used. Some calligraphers alter or disregard these rules, or use some of the numerous older styles of calligraphy such as the Gothic script of 1400s Europe or eighth century Caroline script. (Incidentally, the Gothic script was used for the first Gutenburg Bibles, another demonstration of the relationship between calligraphy and typed writing.)
Calligraphy is clearly different from conventionally script, and appears continually in today's world. It is still practiced and has influenced other areas. Depending on your perspective it could be called either purposeful or purposeless art. It conveys information giving it purpose but there is no practical reason for its intricacy or its beauty. Even when the letters appear difficult to interpret they can still be beautiful. Calligraphy is both beautiful writing and great art.
So, have I convinced anyone to go out and buy a pack of vellum and a set of pens and brushes?
--Laurel Powell
No, I'm not going to try my hand at it. Much too difficult. My mother practiced calligraphy for a while when I was a teenager, so I have a sense of what is involved.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of turning a medium of communication into an art form in its own right, the way what is usually invisible become the focal point of the viewer's attention. But then again, I'm also interested in page design, so I'm predisposed to this kind of material.
If you want to explore some other comments about typefaces, go to the Crooked Timber blog and search through John Holbo's posts. He has written about typefaces a few times.