Convivio delle Belle Donne, page 6 (recto) 1532

This is a woodcut border illustration made in Venice by Nicolò Zoppino, around the 16th century, for a book titled "Convivio delle Belle Donne," meaning "Banquet of Beautiful Women." During the early modern period in Europe, printed books became more accessible, shaping cultural and intellectual life. These borders, with their swirling acanthus leaves and fantastical creatures, reflect a tension between the classical past and the burgeoning Renaissance. Consider how the "beautiful women" in the title were being envisioned at this time. Were they objects of courtly love, or were they intellectual equals in a humanist project? These decorative borders often framed texts that reinforced social hierarchies, but they also had the potential to inspire new ideas. The border is a space in between, a liminal zone between the image and the world, and offers the opportunity for both control and imagination.