Eyn new kunstlichboich, page 11r 1529

This is a page from Peter Quentel’s "Eyn new kunstlich boich," a book of designs printed in Cologne during the 16th century. The page presents a series of geometric patterns that serve as models for textile work. Here, the zigzag motif, rendered through tiny black squares, dominates. It echoes through time, recalling ancient Greek key patterns and reappearing in indigenous art across continents. This design taps into a primal human desire for order and symmetry. The emotional effect is subtle yet powerful, offering a sense of stability. Consider the swastika: once a symbol of good fortune in many cultures, it was later tragically twisted. These patterns are also subject to the vicissitudes of history, shifting from mere decoration to potent cultural markers. They speak to a collective memory, where forms persist, adapt, and are continually reborn.