Lyra™

Want to download Lyra™?

Click to download from MyFonts →

What is the Lyra™ font?

Lyra is an Italian Renaissance script that might have developed if metal type had not broken the evolution of broad pen calligraphy. It lies in the area between the humanist bookhand and the chancery cursive, combining the fullness and articulation of the Roman letters with a moderate italic slant and condensation. A steep pen-angle allows use of a broader pen relative to the x-height, giving the letters more contrast with light verticals and heavy curves. Lyra embodies the Renaissance spirit of refining technical advances of the late middle ages with reintroduction of ancient classical principles. Based on the moving penstroke with constantly changing pen-angle, it brings the vitality of handwriting to the ordered legibility of type. More…
Lyra is a formal italic, too slow for copying books. By eliminating the element of speed, digital technology opens up a new level of calligraphy, bringing it into the sphere of typography as would naturally have happened if metalworkers had not controlled the process. If classical Western traditions are respected, digital calligraphy has the potential to recapture the work of the past and restart its stalled evolution. There is of course no substitute for the charm of actual writing, with each letter made for its space; but the tradeoff is for the formal harmony of classical calligraphy as every curve resonates in tune with every other.
This three-weight font family marks Philip Bouwsma’s much-requested return from a three year hiatus. It also reminds us of his solid vision in regards to how calligraphy, typography and technology can interact to produce digital beauty and vesatility. Each of the three Lyra fonts contains almost three character sets in a single file. Aside from the usual wealth of alternates normally built into Bouwsma’s work, Lyra offers two unique features for the user who appreciates the availability of handy solutions to subtle design space issues: At least three (and as many as six) length variations on ascending and descending forms, and 65 snap-on swashes which can be attached to either end of the majuscules or minuscules. The series also offers 24 dividers and ornaments built into each weight, and a stand-alone font containing 90 stars/snowflakes/flowers, symmetric contstructs for building frames or separators, masking, watermarking, or just good old psychedelia.

Lyra™ Font families

The Lyra™ includes the following font families:

  • Lyra
  • Lyra Medium
  • Lyra Bold
  • Lyra Stars

Lyra™ Preview

Here is a preview of how Lyra™ will look. For more previews using your own text as an example, click here.


Is Lyra™ a free to download font?

I'm afraid not. Lyra™ is not free to download. You will need to pay for it with your hard earn money. Most fonts that we feature on PimpMyFonts.com is a premium font. We do have a Free Fonts category where we showcase all of the best free fonts that you can download. Trust me when I say, don't waste your time searching for a free download of Lyra™. You will not find a link anywhere.

It is highly unlikely that you'll be able to find Lyra™ for free. You might see a few websites that will say "Free Download" of Lyra™ font, but these are just attempts to get you to click on a link which will either take you to an ad landing page or you risk getting viruses on your computer. In the rare occasion that you do find a free download for Lyra™ remember that it's illegal to use a font if you didn't pay for it!

If you really want Lyra™ and you want to truly own it the legal and safe way, then click here to visit the download and purchase page on MyFonts.com. Here you will be able to obtain the proper license. The designer and publisher deserves to be paid for their work, as they have put in the hours and the creativity to produce such an amazing font. Good luck with your purchase and future use of this font. :)