Studio delle virtuose Dame, page 28 (recto) 1597

This is a page from Isabella Catanea Parasole's "Studio delle virtuose Dame," a book of patterns made in the late 16th or early 17th century. The image you're looking at is a woodcut. This was a very common form of printing at the time, made by carving away the negative space around a design on a block of wood, inking the surface, and pressing it onto paper. Parasole’s patterns were intended for needlework, lace making, and other forms of domestic craft. Looking closely, you can see the precision required to cut these blocks, especially given the repeating geometric forms that constitute the design, while the inky texture creates a tactile quality, reminiscent of the textiles it was supposed to inspire. These books were extremely popular. They catered to a growing class of women who had the leisure to engage in such crafts, and they were important tools of the trade. They are reminders that the history of design is not just about the great masters, but also about the everyday creativity of countless makers.