Gudrun Zapf-von Hesse

Gudrun Zapf-von Hesse (January 2, 1918 – December 13, 2019) was a German type designer, calligrapher and book-binder. She was the 1991 winner of the Frederic W. Goudy Award. She also designed several fonts.

Gudrun Zapf-von Hesse
20160320T160542-GZvH-NP.jpg
Gudrun Zapf-von Hesse at her home in Darmstadt; photographed on March 20, 2016.
Born(1918-01-02)January 2, 1918
DiedDecember 13, 2019(2019-12-13) (aged 101)
Darmstadt, Germany
OccupationType designer, calligrapher, book-binder
Years active1943 – 2010
Spouse(s)
Hermann Zapf
(m. 1951; his death 2015)

Life

She was born in Schwerin, Germany. In her early years, she worked with Rudolf Koch and Edward Johnston.[1]

From 1946 to 1954, Von Hesse taught lettering at the Städelschule in Frankfurt.[2] She was hired by the Stempel foundry in Frankfurt to design typefaces, and went on to a successful career as a typographer with Stempel.

In 2001, she was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Friends of Calligraphy. She turned 100 in January 2018.[3]

From 1951 until his death in 2015, she was married to Hermann Zapf. They had one son Christian, who died in 2012.[4] She lived in Darmstadt, Germany.[5] She died on December 13, 2019 at the age of 101.[6]

Created designs

References

  1. Zapf von Hesse, Gudrun; Taylor-Batty, Mark (2002-01-01). Gudrun Zapf von Hesse: bindings, handwritten books, type faces, examples of lettering and drawings. West New York, NJ: Mark Batty, publisher. ISBN 0-9715687-0-7.
  2. Zapf, Hermann; Zapf von Hesse, Gudrun; Prestianni, John; Friends of Calligraphy (San Francisco) (2001-01-01). "Bookbinding, Calligraphy and Type Design: Remarks and Musings About My Design Process (excerpted from Goudy award acceptance address by Gudrun Zapf-von Hesse)". Calligraphic type design in the digital age: an exhibition in honor of the contributions of Hermann and Gudrun Zapf : selected type designs and calligraphy by sixteen designers. Corte Madera, CA: Gingko Press. pp. 31–35. ISBN 1-58423-096-7.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Ulrich, Ferdinand. "Hesse Antiqua – Typeface release at 100". Fontshop Blog. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  4. "Typo-Magie: Ein Nachruf auf Schriftgestalter Hermann Zapf". Archived from the original on 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  5. Weber, Bruce (9 June 2015). "Hermann Zapf, 96, Dies; Designer Whose Letters Are Found Everywhere". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/arts/design/hermann-zapf-96-dies-designer-whose-letters-are-found-everywhere.html. Retrieved 10 June 2015. 
  6. Ratskeller Frankfurt

Other websites