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Calligraphy

The art of beautiful writing

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Calligraphy

Etymologically the word calligraphy finds its origin in the Greek word « kalos » meaning « beautiful ». At Graphiplus, we remain faithful to this spirit, for us, calligraphie is the art of beautiful writing.

Calligraphy Types

The art of beautiful writing is often characterised by the style of writing but also the language used. Indeed, several languages use symbols, which gives a completely different dimension to calligraphy.

Western Calligraphy

When we talk about Western calligraphy, we often refer to the use of letters from the Latin alphabet.

It originated when Christian monks had to copy manuscripts. This art was then considered a form of prayer because it required a great concentration.

Like any art, Western calligraphy has undergone the influences of its time. Cultural influences (eg Renaissance), but also political (eg Charlemagne and Carolina) or technical with the invention of British calligraphy.

The beautiful Western writing can be practiced on several supports:

wax,
papyrus,
parchment,
leaf,

To write, calligraphy artists have used rather varied technologies. Originally, they wrote using a style (more commonly called « Stylus »), designed in iron or bone for the older ones. Then some artists began to use calames, a sort of reed cut to a point. Then the nib appeared, initially made with real bird feathers, then from metal to gain precision and durability.

Calligraphy is an efficient marketing tool

A mailing campaign that differentiates you

Personalising with the nib the beautiful envelopes of your mailings campaigns, is giving your customer the feeling of being unique in harmony with the excellence of your Maison. We manage the shipments of your mailings on every markets.

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Engraving on stone or other support is not considered as a calligraphy. Indeed, this technique does not allow the use of « spontaneous » gesture which is the essence of the art of beautiful writing.

Over the year, several major families of writing styles have emerged:

Roman writing,
Island scriptures (Celtic),
Caroline’s writings,
Gothics scriptures,
Humanistic writings,
Classical French writings : round, bastard, casting, used until the 20th century and often misleadingly confused with the British writing,
British writings,
Body language,

Looking at the history of printing and the recent history of digitalization, our company may seem incongruous, but yet it’s not ! The art of calligraphy is an art that requires years of practising, but even more than technicality it is all about soul. A calligraphed word has a soul, a typed one has none.

Oriental and Far Eastern Calligraphy (Chinese, Japanese, Arabic …)

Oriental calligraphy is divided in two broad categories: Oriental calligraphy and Far Eastern calligraphy. The first mainly corresponds to Arabic calligraphy. The second one mainly refers to Chinese or Japanese writing.

Oriental Calligraphy

Like Latin writing, it strongly developed with religion and the early days of Islam. Calligraphy is also very often used in oriental arts, especially in poetry.

Arabic calligraphy is mainly divided in two categories:

Cursive writings with a very rounded form,
Kufic scriptures with a very angular shape.

It is important to emphasize that these scriptures have appeared at different ages. This demonstrates an evolution of this art through time and influences. Each of these categories contains several writings styles.

Far Eastern Calligraphy

As mentioned above, the latter is often linked to Chinese calligraphy and Japanese calligraphy. These scriptures use the Chinese alphabet (traditional or simplified) and the Japanese alphabet that uses « kanas » inspired by the Chinese alphabet.

The art of beautiful Far Eastern writing developed mainly with the Indian ink used at the tip of a bamboo carved very finley.

Below are examples of popular writing styles:

Mongolia
Tibet
Xinjiang
Manchu and Evenk
The Korean Hangeul
Ethnicity Daizu, of Thai origin
Naxi and Moso

Chinese calligraphy culture cannot be divorced from « masters » who have worked all their lives to perfect their art. The values put forward by this art are mastery as well as precision, but also creativity. From their teachings come the three great values of Far Eastern calligraphy : technical and self mastery, precision of gesture and creativity.

Modern Calligraphy

Modern calligraphy doesn’t necessarily meet the rules of traditionnal calligraphy. Indeed, for traditional calligraphy, the letters’ form must be extremely specific to be categorized in a style such as « Parisian ».

However, modern calligraphy is not totally ignorant of traditional rules. Indeed, for aesthetics reasons, it is often just a variant of an existing writing. For example, an « O » may be flattier or have a loop that goes lower than its traditional twin letter.

It is also possible to mix two styles of writing to create a new one. For example, it is possible to use a certain style for capital letters and another one for lower case.

Nowadays it is important to emphasize that writing is less and less present in our daily lives. The advent of digital and the internet encourages the « automation » of our connections. This enhances even more the prestige and the importance of the calligraphy message, because it is literally exceptional. Similarly, the use of calligraphy is an excellent way to value the recipient, the latter feeling flattered or at least touched by a such delicate attention.

Calligraphy: a delicate touch for your high-end events

Your evening starts with a delicate attention : personalise your invitation cards and envelopes give your guests a sense of exclusivity and set the ton of your evening. Placecards, tablecards and calligraphed menus will keeping a sense of elegance and excellence on D-Day, keeping with the timeless values of your Maison.