PT Pearl
A contemporary Baroque serif family with an integrated stencil companion, in 24 Latin and Cyrillic styles.
Editorial clarity, Baroque character
Pearl is a contemporary serif family that brings Baroque elegance to editorial and display typography. I developed it independently between 2017 and 2020, and it was later acquired by ParaType as a family of 24 styles supporting Latin and Cyrillic, including a distinctive stencil companion. The design draws inspiration from the open counters and economical proportions of Jean François Porchez’s Le Monde Journal, as well as the compact construction and delicate joins of Bram de Does’s Lexicon. Pearl transforms these functional and calligraphic qualities into an independent contemporary system.
Calligraphic rhythm, structural cuts
Pearl comprises six Roman and six Stencil weights, each with a purpose-built italic. Across all 24 styles, the family retains its characteristic contrast, proportions, pointed terminals and calligraphic tension in both Latin and Cyrillic. Rather than cutting the Roman outlines mechanically, their breaks follow natural structural transitions—where curves meet stems or fine strokes lead into heavier elements—preserving the rhythm, lightness and elegance of the original forms. The family also includes ligatures, stylistic alternates, small caps, oldstyle figures, superscripts and subscripts, together with Baroque-inspired ornaments for editorial details, framing and display compositions.
Baroque structure, contemporary proportions
High stroke contrast, predominantly vertical stress, sharp wedge-shaped serifs and pointed terminals give Pearl an elegant yet expressive voice. Delicate joins bring lightness to the letterforms, while a large x-height and short extenders create a compact texture suited to contemporary composition. In the stencil styles, breaks follow natural points of connection—where curves meet stems or fine strokes lead into heavier elements. This preserves the family’s calligraphic rhythm while introducing a more graphic and experimental character.
