Prima Parte de' Fiori, e Disegni di varie sorti di Ricami Moderni, page 2 (recto) 1591

This page, created by Giovanni Battista Ciotti, showcases printing from around the 17th century. Its materials are simple: paper and ink, but the processes involved are intricate. Consider the physical labor that went into its production. Each letter was carefully carved into a block, arranged, and then pressed onto the page. We can see the pressure applied, the slight indentations left by the typeface. The ink itself, likely a mixture of soot and oil, had to be carefully prepared to achieve the right consistency. This wasn't just about mass production, it was also a social transaction. Printed books and pattern books allowed for the democratization of knowledge, influencing fashion and taste among different social classes. The dedication to a noblewoman, Gabriella Zeno, suggests the patronage system that supported such artistic endeavors. By examining the materials and the making, we can appreciate the complex interplay between craft, commerce, and social status embodied in this seemingly simple printed page.