Schon newes Modelbuch...Page 18(r) 1617

Editor: This is “Schon newes Modelbuch...Page 18(r)”, a print made in 1617 by Sigismundus Latomus, housed here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It appears to be a page from a book, displaying different patterns, and it's created using woodcut and engraving techniques. The strong contrast between the black background and light patterns is striking. What draws your attention in this work? Curator: The rigorous geometry interwoven with organic forms compels me. Notice the stark dichotomy of the composition. We see, simultaneously, both rigid geometric forms and flowing, curvilinear shapes that emulate nature. It evokes an intentional visual conversation. Editor: Visual conversation? Could you elaborate? Curator: Consider the upper registers: precise, lace-like designs against the lower registers showcasing foliage and mythological creatures. Observe the intentional use of line – its thickness, its direction – to create a harmonious tension between the abstract and the representational. How do these contrasts make you feel? Editor: I see what you mean about the contrasting patterns. I think that maybe creates a nice visual rhythm? A pattern, almost, that ties the work together? Curator: Precisely! The repetition and variation within each register create a rhythm, yes, but more importantly, they draw attention to the surface itself. We are confronted with the material reality of the print, its texture, its very two-dimensionality. What do you make of the choice of black and white? Editor: It emphasizes the patterns, allowing the details to stand out more. I also noticed a distinct symmetry in many of the designs, something I hadn't immediately appreciated. Curator: Yes, exactly! That intentionality brings out underlying patterns. The play between symmetry and asymmetry reinforces the work's overall structure, drawing our eyes across its plane and highlighting its internal logic. This approach invites viewers to delve into the essence of what art truly represents, beyond what our common assumption.