Giardineto novo di punti tagliati et gropposi per exercitio & ornamento delle donne (Venice 1554), page 7 (verso) 1554

Matteo Pagano's "Giardineto novo" was a book of lace patterns printed in Venice in 1554 using woodcut. The image reflects both the artistic trends and the social expectations of its time. Pattern books like this served as a means of disseminating design ideas across Europe. They reflect the growing importance of fashion and personal adornment in Renaissance society. Lace-making was primarily a domestic activity, which provided women with a creative outlet and a means of contributing to household income. The book's title translates to "New Garden," suggesting an association between feminine creativity and the natural world. This image offers insight into the cultural values and gender roles prevalent in 16th-century Venice. To understand the place of art objects in early modern society, we need to look at probate inventories, account books, and other archival sources. This allows us to explore the exchange between artistic expression and the social world.