Ein new getruckt model Büchli...Page 10, recto 1529

This is a page from "Ein new getruckt model Büchli...", or "A New Printed Model Booklet," made by Johann Schönsperger the Younger, a printer active in Augsburg, Germany, in the early 16th century. These books played a vital role in the social and economic lives of women. The patterns found within, like those seen here, were used as guides for embroidery and other needlework. In a time when clothing and household textiles were highly valued and often passed down as heirlooms, the ability to create intricate and beautiful designs was not only a practical skill but also a marker of social status. The printing of these model books reflects the growth of a commercial market for design ideas and the increasing importance of printed material in the dissemination of visual culture. By studying these seemingly simple designs, historians can uncover rich details about gender roles, economic structures, and the circulation of visual knowledge in the Renaissance.