Splendore delle virtuose giovani, page 9 (verso) 1564

This is a page from "Splendore delle virtuose giovani," a book of lace patterns printed in Venice by Iseppo Foresto, around the mid-16th century. During the Renaissance, Venice was a hub for the production of luxury goods, and lace was a highly valued commodity. The title translates to "The Splendor of Virtuous Young Women," framing lace making as an activity that embodies female virtue and skill. These pattern books were not just instructional; they also played a role in shaping the identities of the women who used them. The act of creating lace became intertwined with notions of femininity, domesticity, and moral uprightness. The geometric precision and intricate designs reflect the mathematical and artistic knowledge expected of educated women at the time. Lace making provided women with a creative outlet and a means of contributing to their households. In its own way, the act of creating delicate and complex patterns challenged the limited roles often prescribed to women in Renaissance society.