Ce est ung tractat de la noble art de leguille ascavoir ouvraiges de spaigne... page 10 (verso) 1527 - 1540

This page, printed by Willem Vosterman, is a woodcut, a relatively accessible medium for the time. The image showcases a series of patterns, likely intended as templates for embroidery or needlework. The technique involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking its surface, and then pressing it onto paper. What's left is the inverse of the carved design, a testament to the labor-intensive subtractive process. Woodcuts like these democratized design, making intricate patterns available to a broader audience beyond the wealthy. The regularity and precision achieved through the printing process speaks to a growing market for pattern books. The patterns are also a testament to the skill required to produce them: each dot is a cut into the block, removed by hand. By focusing on the processes of material production and its social context, we gain insight into the democratization of design and the changing landscape of labor and consumption.