Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne, page 2 (verso) 1554

This is a page from "Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne," made by Matteo Pagano around the mid-16th century. It’s an instructional pattern for needlework, printed using a woodblock on paper. The bold, graphic quality of this image comes directly from the nature of the printing process. Each line had to be carefully carved into the woodblock. Look closely, and you’ll see how the artist has used geometric forms, like squares, diamonds, and crosses, organizing them into vertical bands that are mirrored. These are, in essence, templates for elaborate embroidery. Now, consider the world of labor behind this seemingly simple print. On the one hand, we have the skilled artisan carving the woodblock, and on the other, the women who would have used this pattern. Their work, although creative, was often seen as domestic labor, not art. This print, therefore, occupies an interesting place, blurring the lines between art, instruction, and the social expectations placed upon women in the Renaissance. It invites us to consider the amount of work involved in both its production and potential use.