Teatro delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne..., page 18 (recto) 1616

This page from "Teatro delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne..." was created by Isabella Catanea Parasole around the turn of the 17th century. It is a woodcut design intended for needle lace, a skill primarily practiced by women of the European aristocracy at the time. As a female artist in Renaissance Italy, Parasole occupied a unique position. This book, whose title translates to “Theater of Noble and Virtuous Women,” suggests the complex negotiation of gender roles through artistic and intellectual pursuits. Lace making and needlework were seen as feminine virtues but also as artistic expressions. Parasole elevated these domestic crafts to the level of high art. The designs presented here are intricate and stylized, indicating that the artistry and skill required of female artisans were highly valued. Parasole’s designs acted as a bridge between the private, domestic sphere of women and the public world of art and commerce. Here, women could assert their creativity and skill, finding empowerment in a world that often confined them.