A calligrapher is a person who writes letters with great artistry. Calligraphers do not simply transcribe characters, but render them in a distinctive style, one that adds beauty or meaning. Calligraphers generally use either brushes or special pens to perform their work. To this day, calligraphers are employed in a variety of functions.
Duties
Calligraphers have a wide variety of duties. Some incorporate calligraphy into works of art that they sell through galleries or other venues. Others offer calligraphy services to clients. Individuals may hire a calligrapher to write a number of things, including wedding invitations, menus and inspirational phrases. The calligrapher will often assist the client not only in choosing how the writing should appear, but also on what kind of paper or surface it should be written. In addition to writing letters, calligraphers may be asked to draw decorative designs. In some cases, calligraphers are hired to improve a client's penmanship.
Types
Calligraphy can be divided into three main types: Western, Asian and Middle Eastern. Western calligraphers working in the Roman alphabet -- the alphabet used in English and in most European languages -- are basically limited to 26 letters, plus standard numerals and symbols. However, calligraphers writing in an Asian language, such as Chinese or Japanese, must be able to successfully write thousands of characters.
Function
A calligrapher can be considered a kind of artist. In all three major forms of calligraphy, the calligrapher adds an artistic element to the characters, one that may express a particular feeling in keeping with the meaning of the words. Calligraphy plays a large role in traditional Japanese drawing, while practitioners of the Islamic faith frequently use decorative calligraphy in their mosques. This is because Islamic art contains few representational images.
History
Calligraphy is thousands of years old. According to the "The Complete Calligrapher" by Frederick Wong, calligraphy was developed by a number of ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, the Chinese and the Romans. As the printing press became more popular, calligraphers wrote fewer books but they continued to be frequently employed for personal correspondence. While many people still hire calligraphers, the purpose of calligraphy today is more artistic than functional.
Expert Insight
According to Frederick Wong, calligraphers are often closely linked to typeface designers. In addition to writing out letters, calligraphers will often attempt to design their own. This involves creating a standardized set of characters, all of which resemble each other. The calligrapher may then name this typeface and, in some cases, sell it to printing companies.
