Initial Impressions – Renaissance Capitals

Initial Impressions – Renaissance Capitals from the Maywald Collection at the University of Minnesota

On Display: July 7-September 30, 2018
Gallery Reception: Saturday, July 7, 5 - 7 pm

Join us for an exhibit of rare Renaissance initial capitals from the Maywald Collection from the University of Minnesota. The collection, comprised of over 6000 printed book fragments, includes ornamental initials that date from 1470 to 1690. This exhibit demonstrates the unparalleled craftsmanship of wood engravers who created wood type for use in early printing. Claus Maywald, head librarian at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany, donated the collection to the University of Minnesota in 2011 where they serve as exemplars of early decorative typography. The exhibit will include dozens of enlarged versions of these capitals as well as a selection of the original printed fragments. This exhibit is made possible with the support of The Andersen Library Special Collections at the University of Minnesota.

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