Dictionary Definition
calligraphic adj : of or relating to or expressed
in calligraphy [syn: calligraphical]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Adjective
- Of or pertaining to calligraphy.
- Written in an artistic style or manner, as calligraphy.
Related terms
Translations
of calligraphy
- French: calligraphique
- Serbian: krasnopisačko
written as calligraphy
- French: calligraphique
- Serbian: krasnopisački
Extensive Definition
Calligraphy (from Greek
kallos "beauty" + graphẽ "writing") is the art of writing
(Mediavilla 1996: 17). A contemporary definition of calligraphic
practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive,
harmonious and skillful manner" (Mediavilla 1996: 18). The story of
writing is one of aesthetic evolution framed within the technical
skills, transmission speed(s) and materials limitations of a
person, time and place (Diringer 1968: 441). A style of writing is
described as a script, hand or alphabet (Fraser & Kwiatkowski
2006; Johnston 1909: Plate 6).
Modern calligraphy ranges from functional hand
lettered inscriptions and designs to fine art pieces where the
abstract expression of the handwritten mark may or may not
supersede the legibility of the letters (Mediavilla 1996).
Classical calligraphy differs from typography and non-classical
hand-lettering, though a calligrapher may create all of these;
characters are historically disciplined yet fluid and spontaneous,
improvised at the moment of writing (Pott 2006 & 2005; Zapf
2007 & 2006). Calligraphy continues to flourish in the forms of
wedding and event invitations, font design/ typography, original
hand-lettered logo design, religious art, various announcements/
graphic design/ commissioned calligraphic art, cut stone
inscriptions and memorial documents. Also props and moving images
for film and television, testimonials, birth and death
certificates/maps, and other works involving writing (see for
example Letter Arts Review; Propfe 2005; Geddes & Dion
2004).