Canon had it's beginnings in the study of conceptual overlap in different fields of art. James Abbot McNeil Whistler (known best for Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1 aka "Whistlers mother") would name his paintings using language derived from music, his pieces were labeled "Nocturnes" or "harmonies". A Canon in music is a piece which repeats itself in part or whole, and as such the typeface Canon is intended for repetition. Canon is designed for large text, posters, headers, billboards. The bigger the better, the more repetitive the better.