Modale Antique
Formagari · Emmanuel Besse · 2024
A grotesque sans by Emmanuel Besse referencing Antiques Maigres Larges, Venus and Monotype Grotesque, with sharp cut endings that give it a clean rhythmic character without austerity.
About
Originally drawn for a contemporary art centre identity proposal, Modale Antique distils three early twentieth-century grotesque models into eight styles across four weights, each with a matching italic. Its nearly monolinear strokes and rounded curves avoid the eccentricities of earlier grotesques, while the sharp-cut terminals bring crisp definition at all sizes. The family performs equally well in all-caps settings and continuous text, and was awarded second prize at the Club des DA in 2023.
Classification
Modale Antique draws on historical grotesque references including Antiques Maigres Larges, Venus and Monotype Grotesque, with sharp cut endings and a nearly monolinear construction placing it squarely in the grotesque tradition.