Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Paris, France)

BnF MS. Hébreu 1309: Main text scribe 1 - Non-square (Beinoni)

Scribe named in the document

Main text scribe

• Small, rounded, controlled, elegant script
• Minimal sharp tapering at the end of strokes
• Some concavity in horizontal and curved strokes
• Junctures:
o Rounded or angular (not cross-shaped)
• Downstrokes:
o Regular, controlled, without exaggerated thickening
• Maintains the line of writing consistently
• Variation in:
o Size (larger vs smaller module)
o Density
o Execution depending on surface (paper vs parchment, hair side)
• Uses:
o Square headings
o Semi-cursive enlarged headings (same letterforms, larger scale)

WHERE in 1309
• Opening of manuscript (same hand as fol. 71r)
• up to Fol. 32 (same script, larger module)
• Fol. 36v–37r (parchment, hair side → more tapering, slightly sharper due to surface)
• Fol. 39–40 (same letter shapes, different density)
• Fol. 50 (semi-cursive enlarged headings)
• Fol. 66v–67r (to l. 13)
• Fol. 68r–76v (progressive change, likely fatigue)
• Fol. 80r–80v (tired execution)
• Fol. 81v (first lines only)
• Fol. 91v (key comparison point)
• Fol. 9r (return of the same hand)

Acrostic

Byzantine

Non-square (Beinoni)

Current

Bookhand

Scholars'

Stable

12

33-36

Quick

Regular spacing

2 x 1,5 mm

Measurements taken on fol. 30r

2 x 1,5 mm

Measurements taken on fol. 30r

2 x 2 mm

Measurements taken on fol. 30r

Regular size

Thick, traced with the full width of the flat nib