Lombardic Versals

[Ken Fraser]

Lombardic Versals

[JERRY TRESSER]

I can assume these caps were not freely written.   Maybe you can provide an alphabet with these caps. Historical Versals are always of interest, I have included some that i actually did when i was teaching raised gilding.  Before and after the gold was applied.   There the nib was pointed and the gesso was filled in.  Lombardic caps or any versal requires allot of control because these letters are actually double stroked. The original concept was the inside circle was like a dog track and the outside circle was like a circle.  Nicely done. JERRY

[JERRY TRESSER]

I did post some photos, unfortunately they did not appear.  Ill try again.

[JERRY TRESSER]

These caps were ornamented with a multitude of paintings, figurines, very well done gilding , freely drawn and done with allot expertise.  Historical manuscripts with versal caps # in the 1000s so we have a very good library to get an idea as to how these were drawn. Versal caps were not written. 

[Inkysloth]

I do like a nice Lombardic versal!

The only complete linoprint alphabet I've done has been Lombardic versal-ish... going more for dramatic effect than historical accuracy, though.

Linocut versal alphabet by Robin Inkysloth, on Flickr

[JERRY TRESSER]

Thats a nice selection of Versals with an Uncial flavor.  Historical versals are great to see the scribes imagination in full force. Although the church had restrictions, every conceivable use of an enlarged letter in the verse was not limited to ecclesiastical leanings. Animals intertwined in large versal caps was a favorite.  That linoprint is nicely done, and appreciated. JERRY

[AndyT]

Historical versals are great to see the scribes imagination in full force.

You might like this little book, then.  All manner of zoömorphics, ribbonwork and goodness knows what, and highly idiosyncratic.  Definitely one of the odder late medieval samplers.

[Aries M]

This book is incredible. I could spend a life time looking at it and another learning from it. Thank you for sharing. Ive been looking for filigree and acanthus leaf inspiration and holy smokes is this a gold mine!