Faunus is a display-companion to Sindre Bremnes’ roughly hewn book typeface, Satyr. Faunus does not offer the kind of compact display one might expect from a contemporary titling cut: its low x-height and fine detailing shines with ample room, rooting Faunus firmly in the literary tradition. Compared to its text companion, the spacing is tighter and the contrast higher. In spite of their shared DNA, Faunus’ outlines don’t follow Satyr’s faithfully, and sometimes not at all.
Designer
Stéphane Mallarmé
The Satyr and the Traveller
ISBN 978-0-674-99296-2
Originally fauns of Roman mythology were ghosts (genii) of rustic places, lesser versions of their chief, the god Faunus. Before their conflation with Greek satyrs, they and Faunus were represented as naked men (e.g. the Barberini Faun). Later fauns became copies of the satyrs of Greek mythology, who themselves were originally shown as part-horse rather than part-goat.
SUPERSOFT BIRTHDAY PARTY
Primitive Types
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (1894)
Pan once had the audacity to compare his music with that of Apollo, and to challenge Apollo, the god of the lyre, to a trial of skill. Tmolus, the mountain-god, was chosen to judge. Pan blew on his pipes and gave great satisfaction with his rustic melody to himself and to his faithful follower, Midas, who happened to be present. Then Apollo struck the strings of his lyre. Tmolus at once awarded the victory to Apollo, and all but Midas agreed with the judgment. Midas dissented and questioned the justice of the award. Apollo would not suffer such a depraved pair of ears any longer and turned Midas’ ears into those of a donkey.
Pteromalidae
