Manuale tipografico

work by Bodoni

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June 29, 2026

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The Manuale tipografico is a significant work by the Italian printer Giambattista Bodoni, published posthumously in 1818 by his widow. It serves as a comprehensive inventory of typefaces, showcasing 291 different roman and italic fonts, alongside samples of Greek, Russian, and other scripts.1

Bodoni, a renowned printer and typeface designer, managed the Royal Press in Parma, Italy, starting in 1768. He is credited with designing several modern typefaces, including the widely used Bodoni typeface. His work, particularly the Manuale tipografico, exemplifies the aesthetic qualities of the typographic page, focusing on the design of letters and their arrangement to create a specific visual impact. The book is celebrated for its typographical excellence and the beauty of its designs.12

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Giambattista Bodoni
…the best known is his Manuale tipografico (1788; “Inventory of Types”), a folio collection of 291 roman and italic typefaces, along with samples of Russian, Greek, and other types. A second edition of his book was published by his widow in 1818.
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…the best known is his Manuale tipografico (1788; “Inventory of Types”), a folio collection of 291 roman and italic typefaces, along with samples of Russian, Greek, and other types. A second edition of his book was published by his widow in 1818.
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graphic design
Neoclassical graphic design
…forth his design statement in Manuale tipografico (1788; “Inventory of Types”); another edition of this book was published in 1818, after his death, by his widow and foreman. Bodoni advocated extraordinary pages for exceptional readers. He achieved a purity of form with sparse pages, generous margins and line-spacing, and severe…
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…forth his design statement in Manuale tipografico (1788; “Inventory of Types”); another edition of this book was published in 1818, after his death, by his widow and foreman. Bodoni advocated extraordinary pages for exceptional readers. He achieved a purity of form with sparse pages, generous margins and line-spacing, and severe…
Read More