Lucidario di Recami, page 9 (verso) 1564

Iseppo Foresto created this page from "Lucidario di Recami" around 1560, using woodcut printmaking. Notice how the composition is structured around two vertical panels, each teeming with intricate designs. The panel on the left showcases a serpentine dragon intertwined with foliage and fruit, embodying a grotesque yet elegant aesthetic. The opposite panel features playful cherubic figures amidst swirling vines and leaves. What is particularly striking is how Foresto employs contrasting textures and patterns to define each form. Through the precise use of line and hatching, the figures gain volume and depth, while the contrasting negative space creates a delicate balance between complexity and clarity. Consider how the artwork utilizes a semiotic system, with motifs that held symbolic meaning in Renaissance culture, such as the dragon symbolizing chaos and the cherubs representing innocence. Foresto challenges fixed meanings through juxtaposition, inviting the viewer to interpret and re-interpret these visual elements.