Essempio di recammi, page 13 (recto) 1530

Giovanni Antonio Tagliente created this page from a book of embroidery patterns sometime in the early 16th century using woodcut on paper. The page is densely populated with an array of animals, each carefully delineated with precise lines. These forms stand out against the neutral background, creating a strong contrast that defines their shapes. Tagliente's approach reflects a moment when printed pattern books democratized design, making intricate motifs accessible to a broader audience. This page showcases a structured collection of beasts and insects. Each figure serves as a module for creative adaptation. The composition is deliberately organized, with the animals arranged in distinct rows. The lion is at the center of the page, and anchors the wild groupings of animals around it. This intentional layout highlights the practical function of the page, it is a template for embroiderers. This geometric structure challenges fixed notions of artistic hierarchy, blending aesthetics with utilitarian design.