Corona delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne: Libro I-IV, page 15 (recto) 1601

Cesare Vecellio created this page in the late 16th century using woodcut, a printmaking technique with a long and rich history. The image is from a book of lace patterns intended to inspire noblewomen. Woodcut involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking the surface, and then pressing it onto paper. Notice the stark contrast between the black ink and the white paper, which creates a graphic quality. The linear quality of the design is a direct result of the cutting process, as the artist used knives and gouges to remove the wood around the lines. This was a painstaking and demanding process, requiring great skill and precision. The resulting prints were relatively inexpensive to produce, making them accessible to a wide audience. Vecellio was unusual for his time, as he highlighted the work of women as lacemakers, and also their role as consumers. By understanding the materials and processes used to create this print, we gain a deeper appreciation for the skill and labor involved in its production, and how this is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption.