What is a Calligram?

A calligram is a poem, phrase, or word in which the typeface, calligraphy or handwriting is arranged in a way that creates a visual image. The image created by the words expresses visually what the word, or words, say. 

The term ‘calligramme’ (French) was coined by 20th century French poet, Guillaume Apollinaire. Apollinaire was a close friend and collaborator of artists like Picasso, Rousseau, and Chagall, and himself an art critic, poet, and champion of the avant-garde - a well-known fixture in France’s bohemian subculture.

Apollinaire created the calligram as a poem picture, a written portrait, a thoughts drawing, and he used it to express his modernism and his desire to push poetry beyond the normal bounds of text and verse and into the 20th century.

As a poet, Apollinaire was passionate about all forms of art and a connoisseur of medieval literature, especially calligraphy and illuminated initials. As a visionary, Apollinaire saw a gap between two artistic institutions. On one side was the popular, highly lauded traditional art forms of the time. On the other, the forms of artistic expression made possible through surrealism, cubism, and new inventions, like the cinema and the phonograph. Within that divide, through the creation of his most important contribution to poetry, the calligram, Guillaume Apollinaire built a bridge. 

Text From La Colombe Poignardée et le jet d'eau - by Guillaume Apollinaire

Undoubtedly, the deeply layered artistic expressions in Apollinaire’s calligrams are not just a brilliant display of poetic prowess from a master of the form. Each calligram itself is also a snapshot in time, encapsulating the passion, the excitement, and the anticipation of all the bohemian artists of Paris, including Apollinaire, most of whom are well ahead of their time, and with their innovative work, eagerly grasping for the future.

From the TED-Ed Lesson The poet who painted with his words - Geneviève Emy

Animation by TED-Ed

Nices gifs from the Ted lesson to know more about calligrams :)