Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer (Page 49r) 1604

This is page 49r from *Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer*, made around 1604-1611 by Johann Sibmacher using etching and engraving on paper. The print showcases patterns intended for embroidery, lacework, and other needlework crafts. The image is built from a series of lines carefully etched into a copper plate. This method of printmaking allowed for the creation of intricate and repeatable designs, making them accessible to a wider audience. Looking closely, you can see the modularity of the patterns, each one conceived within a strict grid. These grids were not only helpful in the making of the patterns, but also demonstrate how women and other makers were expected to produce the designs - following each stitch as a pixel. Such prints like these thus served as essential tools, democratizing access to design and enabling the production of finely ornamented textiles and garments. Ultimately, it prompts us to reconsider the hierarchy between "high" art and "craft," recognizing the sophisticated design and skilled labor embedded in these everyday objects.