Humanist serifs, also called Venetian, are the first roman typefaces, which appeared in Venice around 1470, notably with the printer Nicolas Jenson. Inspired by the handwriting of Renaissance humanists, they have low contrast, a clearly slanted axis, heavy serifs and an oblique bar on the "e".
Where to see it
Humanist serifs can be seen in incunabula, the very first printed books, kept in heritage libraries. Typefaces such as Adobe Jenson and Centaur offer modern interpretations, appreciated for their warmth and slightly calligraphic look.
Why this detail matters
Humanist serifs are the starting point of roman typefaces:
- They mark the transition from Gothic scripts to the roman typefaces we still read today;
- Their oblique "e" bar is the simplest detail for recognizing them;
- Their warm, calligraphic look makes them popular for editorial or heritage projects.
Related term
Garaldes are the more refined evolution of Humanist serifs, with an "e" bar that has become horizontal.