These lively prints are from the series Libellus Novus Elementorum Latinorum by Polish goldsmith Jan Christian Bierpfaff (1600-ca.1690) and engraved by Jeremias Falck (1610–1677). These hugely imaginative, abstract and fluid prints come to life on the page.
Bierpfaff worked as an apprentice at the Mackensen family of metalworkers in Kracow, a group, who, according to Paul K, “introduced the Dutch auricular (‘shell or ear-like’) style of ornament into the Polish gold and silver workshops”. His most famous work is the copper coffins of Władysław IV and Queen Cecilia Renata, richly decorated with gilded ornaments and figural scenes.
The Rijksmuseum has some images from this collection of Bierpfaff’s Alphabet of Organic Type and The Art Institute of Chicago more, albeit quite small images. It’s hard to find all of Bierpfaff’s images in one place. And it looks like the letters ‘J’ and ‘Y’ are missing, or else omitted from his work.
After Bierpfaff’s Alphabet of Organic Type you can see More alphabets to make your writing better here.
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