Corona delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne: Libro I-IV, page 8 (recto) 1601

This is a page from "Corona delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne", made by Cesare Vecellio in the 16th century, using woodcut and letterpress on paper. The prints feature intricate lace patterns. Woodcut is a relief printing process, where the artist carves away the areas that will not be inked, leaving the design raised on the woodblock. Ink is then applied to the surface and the image transferred to paper. With letterpress, text and image are set in relief, inked, and pressed directly onto the paper. The texture of the paper, the pressure of the press, and the ink’s absorption all contribute to the final print. The creation of these patterns reflects the skilled labor involved in both design and printing. The designs themselves offered templates for lacemakers, primarily women, in a cottage industry setting. So, this printed page testifies to the interconnectedness of different forms of craft, and their reliance on reproductive technologies.