Eighteenth Century Spanish Type Design

The second half of the eighteenth century has been regarded as the golden age of Spanish printing. While some recognition has been paid to the careers of prominent printers, little attention has been given to Spanish punchcutters in this period.

The careers of individuals such as Eudald Pradell, Jerónimo A. Gil, Antonio Espinosa de los Monteros, as well as those of the Carmelite Friars Pablo de la Madre de Dios and Joaquín de la Soledad deserve greater recognition because of their importance to the development of Spanish printing.

This article seeks to address this oversight, beginning with Pradell's contribution to the development of printing in Barcelona, going on to discuss the important work undertaken by Gil and Espinosa within the Royal Library Type Foundry. Of particular importance throughout this period was the development of Spanish typography and its relationship to the native calligraphic tradition. While it is generally agreed that Spanish typography was on the decline at the beginning of the nineteenth century, exceptional punchcutting work continued under the auspices of the Carmelite Convent of San José de Barcelona. Despite its chequered history, the tradition continues to inform the work of a number of prominent contemporary Spanish typographers.