Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Technique

by Marc Drogin

Book Overview

"Vastly rewarding and illuminating." -- American Artist
This comprehensive history and instruction manual contains, in one volume, thirteen significant medieval scripts, with a history of the evolution of the alphabets, and fascinating background material on the scribes, their world, and how writing styles changed over a thousand years. Moreover, it is the only modern book that provides clearly described, brilliantly photographed, and accurately...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486261425
• ISBN13: 9780486261423
• Release Date: November 1989
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.4" x 11.2"

Customer Reviews

Historical/Instructional Manual

This is both an historical and an instructional manual with information on materials, supplies, and other resources. It shows the strokes for each letter, and has many examples and covers alphabet styles that almost no one else does. The alphabet styles covered are: Roman Rustic, Uncial, Artificial Uncial, Roman Half-Uncial, Insular Majuscule, Insular Minuscule, Luxeuil Minuscule, Carolingian Minuscule, Early Gothic, Gothic Textura Quadrata, Gothic Textura Prescisus vel sine pedibus, and Gothic Littera Bastarda. This is a standard reference for calligraphers in the SCA (SCA is the Society for Creative Anachronism, which is a group dedicated to researching and recreating the Middle Ages in the present.) The only thing that I feel is missing in this book-is that the pictures are not in color. Other than that this book is Great!

Not for Calligraphers Only

Hidden in this book for calligraphy hobbyists is a simple, concise history of manuscript (formal handwriting) from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance. It explains the basics of why we write - and print - the way we do. Ever wonder why the letters of the alphabet are shaped the way they are? Or why we have capital and small letters? Or why the two are shaped differently? Or where punctuation comes from? Readers interested in language, typography, usage, European history, and mere interesting trivia would love this book if it weren't lost in the hobbyist and graphic-arts stacks.

Scholarly, careful, and beautiful

Marc Drogin is both a paleographer and a skilled calligrapher: this book not only provides information in-depth, but meticulously documents its information as well. This book has proven more helpful to me than several of my art history texts. I recommend it without reservation!

The BEST resource for modern medieval calligraphers

My hobby is the Middle Ages. I coordinate a scriptorium, teaching people in my local area how to do medieval style calligraphy and illumination. If a student can only afford one calligraphy book, I recommend this one! It is the best book available for those who want to work in the style of the middle ages and rennaisance. It includes a basic primer for the beginning calligrapher. More advanced artists will use the examples of the hands as a constant resource.

Excellent resource for art historians and calligraphers

In his usual clear, comprehensive, and comprehensible style, Marc Drogin details the evolution of calligraphy from its origins to its near demise at the advent of the printing press. Not only does he provide extensive illustrations of all the hands he discusses, he also explains how and why each hand developed and eventually superseded the preceding hands, amplifying his calligraphic information with much social, political, and historical background. Along the way he presents the history of books and book production, including detailed descriptions of scriptoria and humorous tidbits of trivia, like the dreadful curse which was directed at would be book thieves. While medieval calligraphy may, upon the surface, appear to be a very dry subject, Marc Drogin's colorful and interesting style infuses it with life, making this book a valuable resource for medievalists, art historians, and calligraphers alike.--Shirley Sponholt