Serif Normal Arbay 2 is a bold, normal width, high contrast, italic, normal x-height font.
Keywords: headlines, subheads, editorial, book typography, magazine, classic, literary, formal, assertive, text emphasis, editorial tone, classic readability, hierarchy, bracketed, calligraphic, diagonal stress, compact, oldstyle figures.
A compact, right-leaning serif with pronounced thick–thin contrast and sharply tapered, bracketed serifs. Curves show a clear diagonal stress, while joins and terminals often end in crisp wedges, giving strokes a chiseled, calligraphic finish. Capitals are sturdy and slightly condensed in feel, with strong verticals and tight interior counters; lowercase maintains a moderate x-height with energetic ascenders and descenders. Numerals read as oldstyle forms, mixing ascenders and descenders that blend naturally with text rhythm.
Well suited to editorial settings such as magazine features, book titling, and pull quotes where an italic voice is desirable. It can also serve for subheads, captions, and short-to-medium passages when a dense, traditional texture is appropriate, and it performs especially well where oldstyle figures are preferred in running text.
The overall tone is traditional and editorial, with a confident, slightly dramatic slant that feels suited to established publishing conventions. Its contrast and crisp terminals add a formal, emphatic voice without becoming ornamental.
The design appears intended as a conventional text serif in an italic style that balances readability with a more forceful, high-contrast presence. Its compact proportions, bracketed serifs, and oldstyle numerals suggest an emphasis on classic publishing aesthetics and strong typographic hierarchy.
Spacing and rhythm appear geared toward continuous reading, with consistent italic flow and a cohesive serif treatment across cases. The texture is dark and punchy, so it holds attention and creates strong typographic color, especially at larger sizes.