Libbretto nouellamete composto per maestro Domenico da Sera...lauorare di ogni sorte di punti, page 18 (recto) 1532

This page, made by Domenico da Sera around the 16th century, is from a book of embroidery patterns, made of ink on paper. Embroidery, a painstaking and time-consuming craft, was highly valued during the Renaissance, adorning clothing and household textiles as symbols of status and refinement. The patterns in this book, presented in a grid-like format, demonstrate the mathematical precision required to create these complex designs. Consider the labor involved in both the creation of the book itself, with its careful, hand-drawn patterns, and the embroidery work it would inspire. It's a testament to the skills and traditions passed down through generations. These patterns allowed for the democratization of craft, enabling more people to produce elaborate textiles. Looking at this page, we can appreciate how the material and the making process intertwine with social significance. It challenges our traditional ideas about what is considered fine art, inviting us to value craft as a form of skilled artistry deeply embedded in its time.