An Abecedarium: Illuminated Alphabets from the Court of Emperor Rudolf II
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Book Overview
Included in the magnificent pages of the Mira calligraphiae monumenta are two alphabets. Executed by an unknown hand, the first consists of Roman capital letters; the other is Gothic lower-case letters. As with the calligraphy of Bocskay described above, these alphabets were embellished by Joris Hoefnagel, a painter at the court of Rudolf II. In embellishing the alphabets, Hoefnagel employed symbols and heraldic objects--masks, animals, plants, obelisks--to convey the power and greatness of the emperor. An Abecedarium contains the thirty-eight pages from the Mira codex that display Hoefnagel's virtuosity in decorating the alphabets. Calligraphers, graphic artists, and all lovers of beautiful books will delight in Hoefnagel's artistry.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0892364718
ISBN13:9780892364718
Release Date:July 1997
Publisher:Oxford University Press, USA
Length:64 Pages
Weight:0.50 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 5.3" x 7.3"
Customer Reviews
1 rating
Enchanting Eye-Catcher
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I happened upon this true gem of a book at The Getty, while on a trip to Los Angeles, and simply had to have it. Anyone with an appreciation for words and letters and the challenge of combining them as perfectly as possible, will love this! It is a constant delight and one with which I gift special friends.
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