Calligrapher

/kəˈlɪɡrəfər/ noun

Definition

A person who practices the art of beautiful, decorative handwriting and lettering.

Etymology

From Greek 'kallos' (beauty) + 'graphia' (writing) + the agent suffix '-er'. The profession became standardized in English during the Renaissance when calligraphy experienced a major revival.

Kelly Says

Medieval calligraphers were essentially the graphic designers of their era—monks and scribes would spend months perfecting a single manuscript, and their signature styles were as recognizable then as a designer's logo is today.

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