Lombardic capitals illuminated letters

Manuscript Place of origin: France (illuminated) Date: 12th century (illuminated) Artist/Maker: Unknown (production) Materials and Techniques: Water-based pigments and ink on parchment #illumination

French capital letters 1882. From Gunnvor Karita at wingsofwhimsy.com. This site has many beautiful lettering examples and downloads.

English Church Text. Obviously this wasn’t meant to be set in all-caps, since these are initials. But I quite like the ornamental word vomit this creates! But I love these Lombardic capitals! K, Q, J, and R especially! From ‘Art alphabets and lettering’ (J. M. Bergling, 1914).

Additional ornamental t.p. with title: Monograms, old architectural ornament, sacred illustrations : borders and alphabets & collected on the Continent and in...

Inscription: Signed in pen and red ink at lower left of image: "F.G. De La Motte"Marking: Embossed at upper right of recto: "Reynolds's Bristol Board" trademark

The Lombardic alphabet is characterised by very broad, fat letters, and ornate designs. The broad letters gives plenty of room to draw beautiful patterns, scrolls and designs within the letterforms. The Lombardic letters are usually used for initials, and beginning of sentences. They are to be used sparingly though, because your work can look over the top if you overuse the Lombardic lettering styles. However, with this in mind, it can be very effective when combined with lowercase letters…

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