Ce est ung tractat de la noble art de leguille ascavoir ouvraiges de spaigne... page 5 (verso) 1527 - 1540

This is page five from Willem Vosterman’s "Ce est ung tractat de la noble art de leguille ascavoir ouvraiges de spaigne...", made with woodcut on paper. The page is dominated by a rectangular block of intricate patterns, divided horizontally into two distinct fields. The upper field is filled with a dense grid of repeating geometric shapes, primarily diamonds and crosses. The lower field is a more tightly packed grid of smaller squares, creating a subtle shift in texture and rhythm. The stark contrast between the dark, printed pattern and the pale background creates a strong visual tension, emphasizing the precision and detail of the design. The interplay of positive and negative space, the repetitive nature of the forms, and the subtle variations within the grid, invite us to consider the structure of signs. It is a proto-semiotic system; a precursor to modern data visualization. The rigorous order and the inherent potential for endless variation, suggest the artist's fascination with systems and their expressive potential.