Convivio delle Belle Donne, page 15 (recto) 1532

Nicolò Zoppino created this woodcut, titled "Convivio delle Belle Donne", around the early 16th century. At first glance, one is struck by the intricate interweaving of lines and shapes, creating a dense yet balanced composition. The texture is defined by the contrast between solid black and white space, giving it a tactile quality despite its two-dimensionality. The artwork seems to play with the viewer's perception through symmetry and repetition. The recurring motifs—geometric knots and stylized floral patterns—suggest a system of signs. The black and white shapes, rendered with precision, recall the language of early printed books and their function as both text and image. The geometric design destabilizes the conventional boundaries between ornamentation and representation. Is this a purely decorative pattern, or does it encode deeper meanings? The interplay of form and content invites us to consider how early printed images participated in constructing and conveying cultural values.