Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer (Page 21r) 1604

"Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer (Page 21r)" was etched by Johann Sibmacher, around the turn of the 17th century. Model books such as this one were pattern templates used by embroiderers and lacemakers. Think about the lives of women, for whom this book was intended. Needlework was one of the few creative outlets available to women at the time. These designs, therefore, offered ways for women to express themselves, to find individuality and perhaps even agency within a patriarchal world that demanded domestic obedience. But these designs also speak to the complex hierarchies of the time. Sumptuary laws dictated who could wear what, and the intricate details in these patterns signaled status and wealth. This book exists at the intersection of craft, commerce, and social identity. It gives us a glimpse into the daily lives and artistic practices of women centuries ago, while also reflecting the rigid social structures that defined their world.