Memorial Card for Mr. Barak Longmate, genealogical editor and heraldic engraver 1788 - 1798

This memorial card, now residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a printed tribute to Mr. Barak Longmate. Though the artist remains anonymous, the work’s stark monochrome and precise lines speak volumes. The card is structured around a heraldic crest, crowned with a bird and flanked by stylized flora, which hovers above an inscription in elegant script. The upper section has a strong emphasis on form and symbol, while the lower section focuses on language and text. Notice how the text transitions from formal typeface to flourishes, destabilizing conventional layouts. Here, typography becomes more than just writing; the swirling lines beneath Longmate's name embody the very craft he practiced as an engraver. These aren’t just decorative elements; they’re integral to the card’s meaning, transforming the act of mourning into an intricate dance of line and form. This card doesn’t just communicate grief; it performs it.