Pretiosa Gemma delle virtuose donne, page 18 (recto) 1600

This is a page from *Pretiosa Gemma delle virtuose donne*, created by Isabella Catanea Parasole around the turn of the 17th century. The page is a woodcut. The immediate visual impact is one of striking contrast: bold black ink against the off-white of the paper, forming dense patterns. Two triangular designs dominate, mirror images of each other, yet each possesses a unique character through slight variations in their composition. The designs are contained within strong geometric forms, but are softened with botanical and organic motifs. Parasole presents a carefully structured design, one that reflects the values and the aesthetic sensibilities of its time. The symmetry and geometric elements suggest an underlying order and rationality, reflecting Renaissance ideals of balance and harmony. The title translates to "Precious Gem of Virtuous Women," and we should consider the semiotics of gender and virtue in this historical context. The book offered patterns for lacemaking, and was targeted to upper class women, who were expected to possess accomplishments in needlework as a sign of virtue. This pattern is more than just an aesthetic design, it is an emblem of a broader cultural narrative.