Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne, page 19 (recto) 1554

This is page 19 from "Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne," a book created in the 16th century by Matteo Pagano. The title translates to "Ornament for beautiful and virtuous women," pointing to the societal expectations placed on women of the time. During the Renaissance, books of patterns like this were instrumental in spreading fashion and needlework styles across Europe. The designs, rendered here in stark black and white, would have been used as guides for embroidery and lacemaking, skills highly valued in women. The patterns themselves—geometric and floral—speak to the era's aesthetic sensibilities. But they also remind us of the labor, artistry, and domestic sphere to which women were often confined. This book, while appearing to offer empowerment through beauty, reinforces the limited roles available to women. It serves as a looking glass into the complex intersections of gender, artistry, and societal expectations of the Renaissance.