Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts... page 13 (recto) 1588

Federico de Vinciolo created this book of lace patterns sometime in the late 16th century, a period when such publications were becoming increasingly common. Here, we see examples of "point coupé," a style of needle lace, rendered in precise detail. But this image is more than just a guide for lacemakers. In Renaissance Europe, the creation and wearing of lace was deeply entwined with social status and economic power. Sumptuary laws often dictated who could wear certain types of lace, reflecting hierarchical social structures. Lace was a luxury commodity and a marker of wealth and taste. Pattern books like this one played a crucial role in disseminating designs and techniques, influencing fashion trends, and fueling the market for luxury textiles. By studying the visual codes within these patterns, and exploring historical documents related to fashion and trade, we can better understand the cultural values that shaped the production and consumption of lace in Renaissance Europe.