Page from Ein new kunstlich Modelbuch...(Page 29v) 1544

This is page 29v from *Ein new kunstlich Modelbuch...*, made around 1530 by Peter Quentel, using woodcut on paper. The stark contrast of black ink against the off-white paper immediately captures our attention. The design is bisected horizontally, featuring intricate geometric patterns that command a formal analysis. The composition reveals a structured approach to pattern-making, one which destabilizes the established meanings of ornamentation by engaging with early forms of visual coding. Note how the arrangement of crosses and dots are not merely decorative but function as signs within a semiotic system, hinting at deeper cultural codes related to craftsmanship and design. The texture, achieved through the woodcut technique, adds a tactile quality that invites us to consider the materiality of the design itself. The artwork's engagement with pattern and repetition reflects broader artistic and philosophical concerns. We can appreciate how Quentel's design functions both aesthetically and as a reflection of the evolving cultural and philosophical discourses surrounding art and design.