ABOUT
At Middelaldercentret in Nykøbing Falster.
I am Marianne Beyer, the founder of Lost Letters and a passionate graphic designer who loves hand lettering, craftsmanship, and history.
My interest in hand-lettering began in art school and over the years, I have worked to hone my craft.
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This project is born out of my passion for letters, cultural history, and good craftsmanship. I am particularly fascinated by the period in European medieval history that extends from the beginning of the 12th century to the early Renaissance. During this time, calligraphy flourished, resulting in manuscripts and paintings of high artistic and craft quality.
Unfortunately, many of these artworks have been lost or hidden away and forgotten in private collections and libraries scattered around the world, and the art of writing has almost been overrun by modern digital technology.
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My goal with the Lost Letters project is to bring back handwritten letters and initials into people's consciousness.
HISTORICAL BOOK CRAFTSMANSHIP
At Lost Letters, I collaborate with Prelo Prints to revive the art of historical bookmaking through workshops, live demonstrations, and talks.
With a reconstructed 15th-century printing press, Jorge Lar shows the early printing process alongside his work with woodcuts and letterpress. I complement this by creating decorative initials on parchment and handmade paper, using authentic medieval pigments and techniques.
This combination reflects how, even after the invention of the printing press, hand-painted initials remained an important part of book culture—valued not only for their beauty but for their symbolic and artistic meaning.
Jorge Lar from Prelo Prints with the 15th-century printing press.