We invite you to calligraphy workshops at Villa Decius! 07.02.2026
We invite you to a special calligraphy workshop dedicated to Renaissance humanist script and its developments in cartographic lettering.
During the workshop, participants will explore Renaissance humanist script – the foundation of European writing culture – and its applications in historical map lettering. Special attention will be given to majuscules, letters designed for clarity and harmony, often enhanced with elegant decorative elements. The sessions combine the analysis of historical examples with hands-on calligraphy practice, guiding participants step by step to create their own work.
Workshop Programme:
Introduction and a brief presentation of the history of Renaissance script.
Discussion of templates based on original 15th-century scripts and the basics of calligraphy.
Exercises preparing for independent work.
Creation of a calligraphic piece on prepared paper.
Summary and a short presentation of participants’ works.
Participants will receive a script template, a set of practice materials, and the piece they create. All materials are provided by the organizer.
The workshop will be led by Bogdan Tarnowski – a classical philologist, staff member of the Special Collections Department at the Jagiellonian Library, and lecturer at the Jagiellonian University in the program Early Book, Special Collections, and Archival Studies. For years, he has focused on calligraphy, lettering, decoration, and the history of writing. He also specializes in gilding on parchment and paper, combining knowledge of historical techniques with his own methods. He is the author of prestigious calligraphic projects, including a document for a time capsule commemorating the 650th anniversary of the Jagiellonian University and the diploma awarding Doctor Honoris Causa to Pope Benedict XVI.
The workshop will take place on 7 February 2025 (Saturday), from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Villa Decius, Kraków.
Registration is required via the form: https://forms.gle/s4QDZPqZ7upHjcro6
Limited number of places available.
The event is part of the project “Stories 360°. 30 Years of the Opening of Villa Decius”, implemented under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for Culture (KPO for Culture).
Workshop Programme:
Introduction and a brief presentation of the history of Renaissance script.
Discussion of templates based on original 15th-century scripts and the basics of calligraphy.
Exercises preparing for independent work.
Creation of a calligraphic piece on prepared paper.
Summary and a short presentation of participants’ works.
Participants will receive a script template, a set of practice materials, and the piece they create. All materials are provided by the organizer.
The workshop will be led by Bogdan Tarnowski – a classical philologist, staff member of the Special Collections Department at the Jagiellonian Library, and lecturer at the Jagiellonian University in the program Early Book, Special Collections, and Archival Studies. For years, he has focused on calligraphy, lettering, decoration, and the history of writing. He also specializes in gilding on parchment and paper, combining knowledge of historical techniques with his own methods. He is the author of prestigious calligraphic projects, including a document for a time capsule commemorating the 650th anniversary of the Jagiellonian University and the diploma awarding Doctor Honoris Causa to Pope Benedict XVI.
The workshop will take place on 7 February 2025 (Saturday), from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Villa Decius, Kraków.
Registration is required via the form: https://forms.gle/s4QDZPqZ7upHjcro6
Limited number of places available.
The event is part of the project “Stories 360°. 30 Years of the Opening of Villa Decius”, implemented under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for Culture (KPO for Culture).