Convivio delle Belle Donne, page 4 (recto) 1532

This intricate design, from Nicolò Zoppino's "Convivio delle Belle Donne", showcases a complex geometric pattern that features interlacing lines, knots, and a repeating motif. The image is a page from this larger collection, a 16th-century book of designs for needlework, known as "Punto in Aria" or "Raised Work". The book's title, "Convivio delle Belle Donne," literally translates to "Feast of the Beautiful Women" and is a testament to the popularity of needlework among women of the time. The design is striking for its stark contrast between the black patterns and the white background, making it visually appealing even centuries later. This page, like many others from the book, is a valuable historical record of artistic and cultural practices of the Italian Renaissance, and demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship and design sophistication that characterized the era.