Fiore D'Ogni Virtu Per le Nobili Et Honeste Matrone, page 11 (recto) 1610

This is a page from "Fiore D'Ogni Virtu Per le Nobili Et Honeste Matrone," or "Flower of All Virtue for the Noble and Honest Matrons," a book of lace patterns made in Italy by Isabella Catanea Parasole around the turn of the 17th century. The patterns demonstrate the techniques of "Ponto in Aria," or needle lace, which translates as "stitches in the air". Note the repeating floral and geometric motifs. It was very likely produced in Rome, where Parasole and her husband ran an art academy. This book was not just a collection of patterns; it was a symbol of women's virtue, connecting the act of lacemaking with nobility and honesty. In a time when women's roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere, lacemaking was a valued skill. Understanding the social context and institutional history of this book can offer insights into the lives and roles of women in early modern Italy. It speaks volumes about the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production.