La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 69 (recto) 1605

Matthias Mignerak created this page from “La Pratique de l'Aiguille” using ink on paper. This book page is not just an image; it’s a set of instructions, a pattern for making lace. Look closely and you’ll see floral motifs, fruits, and even small birds woven into the design. The grid underlying the image is critical, as it's a guide for the lacemaker, dictating the precise placement of each stitch. But why a printed pattern, instead of simply passing the knowledge from one generation to the next? Well, lace was a luxury product, highly valued in the 17th century. By publishing pattern books, Mignerak contributed to the commodification of craft, providing access to intricate designs for a broader audience. The book itself becomes a tool, democratizing a previously exclusive skill, or at least giving the impression of doing so. Consider the labor embedded in this image, not just the lacemaker’s skill, but also that of the designer, the engraver, and the printer. It challenges traditional notions of art, inviting us to appreciate the cultural and economic forces that shape our understanding of value and creativity.