Studio delle virtuose Dame, page 34 (recto) 1597

This is page 34 from "Studio delle virtuose Dame" by Isabella Catanea Parasole, an engraving measuring about 5 1/2 x 8 1/16 inches. Its visual impact is immediate: a grid of stark black lines against a lighter background creates a rhythmic pattern, structured yet playful. Parasole's work here is driven by a formal exploration of geometric forms and spatial relationships. The juxtaposition of ovals bisected with gridded lines against the open, cross-like figures offers a study in contrasts and a sense of spatial depth. The precision of the lines and the calculated arrangement reflect the era's interest in mathematical order and harmony, yet there is a liveliness in how Parasole manipulates these elements. This piece not only serves as a pattern for lacework but also as a meditation on the nature of design itself. Parasole’s formal arrangement prompts us to reconsider the boundaries between art, craft, and the intellectual pursuits of women in the 16th and 17th centuries.