palatino

Palatino is a serif typeface designed by Hermann Zapf in 1948–1950 for Linotype. Named after the 16th‑century Italian master Giambattista Palatino, it is based on Renaissance humanist letterforms and was conceived to combine classical elegance with modern legibility for book typography.

The design features moderate contrast, open counters, long ascenders, and rounded, calligraphic shapes that reflect its humanist origins. The italic is notably fluid, following cursive handwriting models. Palatino is categorized as an old-style or humanist serif, with proportions intended to support long passages of text.

Palatino was released in metal type in the mid‑20th century and has since been issued in numerous digital variants. The best‑known digital forms on contemporary systems are Palatino Linotype (often simply Palatino Linotype) and Palatino, which are widely shipped with Windows and macOS. Linotype later expanded the family with Palatino Nova, a modern revival that adds additional weights and width options.

Usage of Palatino spans book text, academic publishing, and other long-form reading due to its warmth and readability. It is also employed for display purposes and headings where a classic, elegant tone is desired.

Palatino remains one of Hermann Zapf’s most enduring designs and has influenced many later serif revivals.