Bembo vs Jenson

Bembo was influenced by Jenson.

Type specimen — Bembo (Old-style serif); shown in EB Garamond, a close match (OFL)

Bembo

The refined Aldine old-style cut by Francesco Griffo for Aldus Manutius in 1495 — lighter and more even than Jenson, and the direct ancestor of the entire Garalde line. Monotype's 1929 revival made it a modern book classic.

  • Moderate contrast, inclined (oblique) stress
  • Crisp, bracketed serifs lighter than Jenson's
  • Small x-height with long, elegant ascenders
  • Slightly slanted serifs on the ascenders
  • Even, harmonious, bright text color
Full Bembo guide →
Type specimen — Jenson (Venetian humanist serif); shown in Cormorant, a close match (OFL)

Jenson

Nicolas Jenson's 1470 Venetian roman — the archetypal humanist serif and, for many, the most beautiful roman type ever cut. Warm, even, and unmistakably drawn from the broad-nib pen.

  • Steeply inclined (oblique) axis of stress
  • Modest stroke contrast, dark warm color
  • Sloping bar on the lowercase 'e'
  • Sturdy, blunt, heavily bracketed serifs
  • Short ascenders/descenders, generous round bowls
Full Jenson guide →

At a glance

BemboJenson
Era14951470
DisciplineTypographyTypography
RegionVenice, ItalyVenice, Italy
FamilySerifSerif
Formal traitsold-style, bracketed-serif, oblique-stress, moderate-contrasthumanist, old-style, bracketed-serif, oblique-stress

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