Neu künstlich Modelbuch (page 5r) 1598

This is a page from Bernhard Jobin's "New Artificial Model Book," made around 1560, using woodcut on paper. At first glance, you're struck by a stark contrast: black floral and animal motifs set against a precisely gridded background. The design teeters between organic and geometric, chaos and order. Note how the curved lines of the flowers and animals push against the rigid grid, creating a visual tension. The grid, typically a symbol of rationality and control, is here destabilized by nature’s unruly forms. Jobin's structural juxtaposition challenges the Renaissance’s desire to classify and contain the natural world. Consider the function of this model book within its historical context. It's not just art but a template, a set of instructions. The grid becomes a guide for artisans, mediating between artistic vision and practical application. Ultimately, Jobin presents us with an early exploration of the interplay between nature, art, and the structures that attempt to define them.