Calligraphic Exquisiteness 1

While in New York recently I stayed across the road from, and next door to, the Cooper Union School of Design. They were having an architectural show so I popped in, and was ludicrously excited to find this greeting all visitors to the 1858 Great Hall. This is the original artwork, in all of its delicious detail.

I have lots of favourite bits, such as 'overshadowing fortunes', 'advancement' and the roses above 'president'. All done on paper, one take, no digital correcting of course. But it's all deeply impressive and enough to encourage more serious practice with the nibs.

Read it and weep. I did.