Ghirlanda: Di sei vaghi fiori scielti da piu famosi Giardini d'Italia, page 45 (recto) 1604

This page, made around 1600 by Pietro Paulo Tozzi, is from a book of model designs for lacemaking, created using pen and ink on paper. The stark contrast of the ink emphasizes the forms and reflects the graphic quality of the work. Looking closely, you can see how the pen dictated the possibilities of the design. There is a remarkable degree of control needed to achieve the delicacy of the floral motifs and geometric patterns that surround the alphabet. The evenness of the lines speaks to Tozzi’s skill and the repetitive nature of the designs hints at the commercial needs of the lacemaking industry. These books acted as pattern repositories, and were circulated widely, providing the basis for a cottage industry dependent on the skilled labor of women. So while this page may seem like a simple instructional guide, it's also a testament to the power of design in shaping social and economic structures. It also embodies the blurring of boundaries between art, craft and commerce.