La Vera Perfettione del Disegno di varie sorti di recami, page 22 (recto) 1567

Giovanni Ostaus made this woodcut design for needlework patterns around 1600 in Italy. It shows two scenes, one above the other. In the upper scene, three figures are placed among trees in what seems to be a garden. Below, two figures with feathered caps sit on either side of a fountain, amid vases of flowers. This design was part of a book, which was of course a relatively new technology at this time. With the rise of the printing press, pattern books allowed for the relatively quick and easy distribution of designs. The image implies a certain amount of social exchange, reflecting values and customs. The pattern book is both an artistic and social artifact, and the historian can use these to understand the culture in which they were made and how they reflect that culture's habits and values. By researching the designs, the textiles they were used for, and the social status of those who made and used them, we can begin to understand the complex world of early modern Italy.