Livre de Moresques, page 14 (recto) 1546

This is a page from Livre de Moresques, created around 1530 by Francesco di Pellegrino, using woodcut and letterpress. The page presents a series of blackwork designs against a textured background, each motif distinct yet unified by the consistent use of line and shape. The forms are intricate, with a strong emphasis on symmetry and repetition, evoking a sense of harmonious order. These arabesque designs, with their interlacing patterns, invite us to consider the semiotic interplay between representation and abstraction. The patterns are not merely decorative; they engage with broader cultural codes. Each motif destabilizes fixed meanings, instead engaging with new ways of thinking about space and representation. The overall design reflects a dialogue between aesthetic pleasure and intellectual engagement. It reminds us that art functions as a site of ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.