Lucidario di Recami, page 6 (verso) 1564

Iseppo Foresto made this page from 'Lucidario di Recami' sometime in the 16th century, using woodcut printmaking. The design is bold, with sinuous vines and leaves, all rendered in stark black and white. The image was originally conceived as a pattern for needleworkers. Now, consider the labor involved in the production of this print. First, the artist would have had to be an expert draftsman to create the intricate design. He then would need skill in carving the image into a block of wood. The block would then be inked and pressed onto paper, creating multiple copies of the design that could be sold or distributed. Printmaking allowed for the mass production of images and patterns, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Here, the mechanical process democratized the art of embroidery, allowing more and more makers to explore increasingly elaborate designs. It’s a good reminder that the division between fine art and craft is a relatively recent invention.