Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo. 1563

Matteo Pagano produced this print, Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo., in Venice, sometime in the mid-16th century. It's a woodcut, one page from a book of designs intended for craftsmen. In the context of the Italian Renaissance, books like this played a crucial role in the circulation of artistic ideas. Venice, a major center for printing, became a hub for disseminating visual motifs across Europe. The title, "Triumph of Virtue," suggests an allegorical dimension, common in Renaissance art, with the intricate patterns perhaps symbolizing moral or spiritual qualities. Pagano’s designs reflect the period's fascination with classical forms, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The print's function as a template for artisans highlights the complex relationship between art and craft. The emphasis on virtue, as expressed through decorative motifs, can be examined in light of the social and ethical values of the time. To fully understand this print, historians might consult pattern books, guild records, and studies of Renaissance symbolism. These resources would help us understand its place in the visual culture of 16th century Venice.