Fr. Robert Palladino - R.i.p.

[dms525]

Father Robert Palladino passed away on February 26, 2016. It may be that, as he feared, Fr. Robert will be remembered only as the person with whom Steve Jobs studied calligraphy after he dropped out of Reed College. To me, he will be remembered as the person who filled Lloyd Reynolds' very large shoes when Reynolds retired from the Reed faculty. Fr. Palladino came to Reed after I had graduated, and I did not meet him until 2011. I am sorry I didn't know him better.

 

Later, I will be uploading some of Palladino's instructional materials, in his beautiful italic calligraphy, to FPN, but, for now, I will provide some links to online materials that will give those interested an introduction to a significant person in the history of American calligraphic arts.

 

Obituary of Fr. Palladino from The Catholic Sentinel

 

Fr. Palladino Interview for oral history project (2008)

 

Video of Reunions 2011 calligraphy demonstration by Fr. Palladino

 

David

[Inky.Fingers]

[hughdrbf]

David,

 

Sad news. Thank you for sharing with us.

 

I have studied, learned much from, and developed my italic hand through Mr. Reynolds' TV show become YouTube videos. I have acquired his books and study frequently from both. Through this wonderful journey I became aware of Fr. Palladino and the contributions he so graciously shared with so many. It is those that I have no exposure to. I know only of him through the one video available to watch from the Reed College site (he is speaking at a podium and demonstrating on a large paper easel).

 

Thank you for offering to further Fr. Palladino's reach, even after his passing, by providing access to his instructional materials. I would enjoy the opportunity to learn more about Fr. Palladino, and also from his teachings, if possible.

 

Hugh

[dms525]

David,

 

Sad news. Thank you for sharing with us.

 

I have studied, learned much from, and developed my italic hand through Mr. Reynolds' TV show become YouTube videos. I have acquired his books and study frequently from both. Through this wonderful journey I became aware of Fr. Palladino and the contributions he so graciously shared with so many. It is those that I have no exposure to. I know only of him through the one video available to watch from the Reed College site (he is speaking at a podium and demonstrating on a large paper easel).

 

Thank you for offering to further Fr. Palladino's reach, even after his passing, by providing access to his instructional materials. I would enjoy the opportunity to learn more about Fr. Palladino, and also from his teachings, if possible.

 

Hugh

 

 

There is additional material pertaining to Fr. Palladino on the Reed web site besides that video, including an interview transcription that has much biographical detail. Here are a couple additional links, FYI:

 

http://www.catholicsentinel.org/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=31041&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=35&S=1

 

http://www.reed.edu/reed_magazine/sallyportal/posts/2016/rip-father-palladino-master-of-letter-forms.html

 

David

[therecorder]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/arts/design/rev-robert-palladino-83-scribe-who-shaped-apples-fonts.html?_r=1

[ehemem]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/arts/design/rev-robert-palladino-83-scribe-who-shaped-apples-fonts.html?_r=1

 

Yes, I came across this obit this morning. Thought it was very well done.

[dms525]

(I hope it is not out of line for me to post this here.)

 

Reed College has invited contributions to their Calligraphy Initiative programs in honor of Father Palladino with a gift in his name . If interested, please click on the preceding link.

 

David

[bobje]

Thank you for posting this link, David.

[dms525]

A funeral mass for Fr. Palladino was held in Portland on March 11. Fr. Palladino had planned his own funeral service in detail, including the music played and preparing programs and program inserts in his beautiful italic hand. He prepared another insert, written in an uncial hand, that I find perfectly stunning and inspiring. It is a beautiful hand. The subtle variations in letter forms from one instance to another demonstrate the essential difference between a well-designed yet dead font and an imperfect yet alive hand-written text.

 

I have scanned that insert, and the scanned image is attached. Please be aware that even relatively good scanner and screen resolution still yields an imperfect representation of this.

 

 

 

David