Spechio di pensieri delle belle et Virtudiose donne, page 9 (verso) 1546

This is page 9 from ‘Spechio di pensieri delle belle et Virtudiose donne’ by Matteo Pagano, an engraving made in the 16th century. The print presents an intricate pattern, dominated by a lattice of intersecting diagonal lines and dense geometric motifs. The rigorous grid structure offers a framework for the more decorative elements, creating an interesting interplay between order and complexity. Each cell within the grid is filled with variations on floral or geometric forms, rendered in stark black ink against the page. Pagano’s choice to use the grid not just as a background but as a primary structural element destabilizes the traditional figure-ground relationship. By using the grid, he presents a field of endless variation, a microcosm of the world’s complexities within a structured system. This reflects broader cultural concerns, such as an interest in how patterns and systems underlie perception, and how these formal structures communicate ideas about the world. The visual impact lies not only in the decoration of the grid but also in the semiotic framework that the grid provides, inviting ongoing interpretation and engagement.