Calligraphy

Or calligraphy calligraphy (by Greek καλλιγραφία ( Kalligraphia ) κάλλος, ( Kallos, beauty ) or καλός ( kalós, beautiful, good) and γράφειν ( gráphein, write )) is the art of " beautiful writing " by hand ( Chirografie ), with quill pen, brush, felt tip pen or other writing tools. The calligraphy is in contrast to typography, setting with ready-made shapes. With the school subject " penmanship " is not meant calligraphy writing, but readable writing of learners.

Introduction

The reputation of calligraphy is given in the history of civilization wherever the copying of sacred texts is itself classified as a sacred process: For example, traditionally in Christianity in the copy of the Bible or in Islam, where the basmala is the most calligraphic form. Even today, the calligraphy is important and inspiring for the Chinese and Japanese written culture. More important than the readability is to achieve a perfect aesthetic balance and visualization of emotions.

Many calligraphers refer to the almost meditative character of their work:

Western calligraphy

Main article: Western calligraphy

In Western medieval culture calligraphy played a role can not be overestimated as the only known form of communication of literature. To keep however the texts more clearly readable, the font was changed calligraphic only in certain dimensions, as in the form of abbreviations ( acronyms ) and ligatures ( mesh spellings of letters). The actual book jewelry always included in Europe for the pictures and illustrations, as no images prohibition applies in Christianity, unlike Islam and Judaism. In Germany, Augsburg and Nuremberg were particularly centers of the book and calligraphy. The Augsburg Ulrich Taler and the Nuremberg families Glockendon and Neudörffer were well-known calligrapher. The actual calligraphy was used as an art form rather in the headings. During the Renaissance and Baroque emerged as a response to the perceived as not too nice printed font then the actual, consciously focused on the beauty of Scripture European calligraphy, especially in Italy, France and England. Special Write champion books show a high level.

Even if the calligraphy in Europe has lost much of its prestige since the beginning of the modern era, it is an art form and hobby still alive, even experienced a renaissance since the introduction of the home computer. Practical application it finds in the design of documents, posters or registrations, for example in a golden book.

Across Europe, there are historical works of ancient and medieval calligrapher who frequently originated in monasteries and expensive with their facilities and rich details in bribe.

In more recent times is to name as a known calligrapher Edward Johnston, for example, who became famous with his Foundational hand and the sans serif Johnston Sans, which is used in the London Underground today.

Arabic calligraphy

Main article: Arabic calligraphy

Arab calligraphers look back on a centuries-long tradition. Due to the prohibition of images in Islam cursive Arabic script was used in calligraphic artworks such lines, thereby striking images of letters, called calligrams arisen. Since only the calligraphy was considered only permissible form of art in most countries of the Islamic world, they developed in the Islamic world also a dominant role as a decorative element in architecture.

A particularly artful way of Arabic calligraphy developed until the early 20th century in the Ottoman Empire.

The Egyptian Calligraphy is a special form of Arabic calligraphy. Egyptian hieroglyphs were traditionally written with a pointed bamboo pen on papyrus.

Hebrew calligraphy

Main article: Sofer

Since Talmudic times called "sofer " ( emphasis on the "e" ) a writer of Hebrew texts. The profession of Sofer requires years of training and is highly regarded within Judaism. The biblical texts are written with a bird feather ( quill ) and an ink without metal additives that usually produces the Sofer himself. The underlay is always a hand produced just for this purpose parchment. The Hebrew texts are unvocalized, but have special ornaments that are also referred to as " crowns ". The text must be written flawlessly and accurately. The Sofer must not write from memory, but need to copy from the template each letter individually.

Chinese, Korean and Japanese calligraphy

Main article: Chinese calligraphy and Shodo ( Japanese way of writing)

In Asia, mainly in Greater China, Korea and Japan, calligraphy is still a high priority in the social and artistic life. The most used tools are brush, ink stick and stone, as well as the paper as an integral part of the writing process. Before the actual writing ink is rubbed on the ink stick in the ink stone with water or wine. The act of writing is nowadays often impulsive, which makes the characters difficult to read, but all the more expressive. Font styles like the grass font represent the actual text and its readability even aware of behind the calligraphic design back, even educated Chinese can read writings grass not often. They are considered as an image, not as text.

Calligraphic works of art are as paired vertical writing tablets and as a horizontal nameplates the Chinese garden. They are almost inseparable from the garden structures and form important decorative elements in the Chinese landscape garden. The content of the panels and plates in general is based on the environment of the building. Often there are lines from famous poems in which specific features of the scene are indicated.