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Typographic Exemplars

Aldus Manutius, printer

Francesco Colonna, Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. (Venice, 1499)
The Hypnerotomachia Poliphili of Aldus has long been celebrated as a masterpiece of typography. Its curious story (which one authority called "the ravings of a lunatic"), splendid roman typeface, beautiful woodcut illustrations, and imaginative typographic arrangements all recommend it to study by students of printing history. The spreads and pages included here show different arrangements of type and illustrations and their relationships.
Keywords: design, Italy, type, woodcuts
15th Century | Cary Collection