Perugia Scribe

'Opera Dianto Nella Quale Vedrete Molte Caratteri di Lettere' (~ Work through which you will see many characters {examples, styles?} of letters), otherwise known as 'Plimpton MS 298' from Columbia University's Rare Book and Manuscript Library is available from the Digital Scriptorium (thumbnail page) [homepage].

This imaginative calligraphy copybook-come-illuminated manuscript practice manual was produced in the city of Perugia (in Umbria, Italy) between 1600 and 1615 by the scribe, Antonio Schiratti. That's about as much information as we are given and there's nothing else related online (that I can see).

In lieu of specific background material, I notice that Luc Devroye has updated (or at least redesigned) his page of calligraphy links, since I last visited, which could keep a person occupied for hours ages.

Previously: Calligraphy.

Day of the Dead - Papercuts

"In Mexico, papel picado (perforated paper), refers to the traditional art of decorative cut paper banners. Papel picado are usually cut with sharp fierritos (small chisels) from as many as fifty layers of colored tissue paper at a time. Designs may incorporate lattice-work, images of human and animal figures, flowers, and lettering. Many papel picado are made especially for the Mexican festival of the Days of the Dead and include skeletal figures engaged in the everyday activities of the living." [source] [more/more]

• All of these 'Día de los Muertos' (Day of the Dead) papercut images, produced in the 1980s in San Salvador Huixcolotla in Puebla State, Mexico, are from the British Museum Prints Database [keywords: papercut, Huixcolotla]. Or try these example direct links: you can click on the metadata object links to browse further. I've posted perhaps one quarter of the available works.]
• Day of the Dead at Wikipedia.
• Previously: Los Calaveras de Posada / Mexico. And.