Schön newes Modelbuch 1608

This is the title page of "Schön newes Modelbuch," a German book of embroidery patterns printed by Sigismundus Latomus in Frankfurt am Main in 1605. The image presents a fascinating window into the early modern world of textile production and consumption, and the social structures that supported it. The book aimed to provide patterns for various European styles of embroidery, catering to a growing market of women, shown here, who could reproduce them. This print highlights the convergence of art, craft, and commerce in the 17th century. The patterns reflect the rise of mercantile capitalism and the expansion of trade networks across Europe. Frankfurt, as a center of printing and commerce, played a crucial role in disseminating these designs. Analyzing such books requires archival research into the history of printing, the textile industry, and the lives of the women who used them. By understanding the social and institutional context, we can interpret the Modelbuch not merely as a collection of patterns, but as a cultural artifact that illuminates the economic and social transformations of its time.