Fiore D'Ogni Virtu Per le Nobili Et Honeste Matrone, page 33 (recto) 1610

This is a page from “Flower of All Virtues for Noble and Honest Ladies,” printed in Venice around 1600 by Isabella Catanea Parasole. It's an instruction manual for needle lace, also known as punto reticella, rendered with woodcut prints. The designs are starkly graphic, black ink on paper. But imagine them realized in thread! The process involves building up a structure of foundation threads, and then carefully filling in the open spaces with intricate geometric patterns. The designs are highly stylized, with careful attention given to symmetry and proportion. But more than beautiful, this book speaks to the social position of women in the late Renaissance. Needle lace was a highly valued skill, a means of both creative expression and economic self-sufficiency. By mastering this intricate craft, women could contribute to the household economy. Parasole’s book testifies to the central place of making in women’s lives. It’s a reminder that design and craft are not just about aesthetics, but also about empowerment and agency.