Our main purpose while developing this typeface was to reconstruct, in the most precise way, the first ten plates of the “Arte de Escribir”, in a chapter named “Enseñanza de la letra italiana, y sus principales variaciones, autores, sistemas, &c.”, dedicated to the analysis of the Italian Script. We decided by this plates because those are the few that don’t refer, directly or indirectly, to any author in particular. We strongly believe that these plates reflect the freedom of his very own calligraphy and are closely related to the calligraphic style that was a success among the spanish calligraphers: the Spanish Bastarda.

inspired in medieval iluminated gotic manuscripts

Designer Steven Skaggs wanted a versatile uncial typeface that was not simply decorative. Traditionally, a true uncial is a majuscule form, entirely lacking in ascenders and descenders. However, by designing Rieven Uncial, Skaggs found a way to use the true uncial as inspiration but retained a lowercase look and feel. Typically, uncials do not have italic forms but in order for Rieven to be a truly versatile face, it was imperative that it should be accompanied by an italic. The italic form owes much to the historical roots in the letra antigua cursiva of the 15th century humanist masters. Rieven Uncial was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Type Design in the 2010 TDC2.