Glyphic typefaces, also called incised, are inspired by letters carved in stone or metal. Their strokes flare slightly at the ends, with no real serif or with small triangular serifs, as if the letter had been cut with a chisel.
Where to see it
Hermann Zapf's Optima, inspired by the tomb inscriptions of the Santa Croce church in Florence, is the best-known example: it was notably chosen to engrave the names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. Carol Twombly's Trajan, ubiquitous on movie posters, also belongs to this family.
Why this detail matters
Glyphic typefaces hold a unique place between two families:
- They sit halfway between serif and sans serif typefaces;
- Their origin in stone carving gives them a monumental and solemn quality;
- They are often chosen for identities that want to combine classic elegance and modernity.
Related term
Roman typefaces also have their origin in the capitals carved on Roman monuments.