Schön newes Modelbuch (Page 95r) 1608

Editor: Here we have a page from *Schön newes Modelbuch* by Sigismundus Latomus, dating to 1608. It's a woodcut print, and the graphic quality really stands out. It's almost mesmerizing how the patterns repeat. What is most striking about this work for you? Curator: Indeed, the pattern and repetition establish the structure of the page, compelling the viewer's attention to the interplay between positive and negative space. Note the arrangement of the three distinct registers. How does this division impact your perception of the work as a whole? Editor: I think it creates a visual hierarchy; my eyes move from the top register down. I also see animals depicted in the first row; the level of detail and variety throughout all three registers is just beautiful. How does the materiality – the print itself – contribute to your understanding? Curator: The texture inherent in the woodcut, those subtle imperfections and variations in the inking, are not flaws but rather integral components. They serve to disrupt any sense of mechanical reproduction and ground the image in its making. Also, consider how the very starkness of the black ink against the paper informs our appreciation of form within defined space. What new appreciation do you derive, now noting the graphic language? Editor: Thinking about it that way makes me appreciate the individual handiwork and artistry that went into creating something that, at first glance, appears like a uniform pattern. I learned so much by just taking the time to carefully observe its shapes and patterns! Curator: Precisely! By considering these aspects, one can move beyond mere representation and into a richer engagement with the work’s inherent visual qualities.