Schön newes Modelbuch (Page 59r) 1608

This woodcut, Schön newes Modelbuch, was crafted by Sigismundus Latomus around the early 17th century. It presents a pattern of geometric shapes and stylized floral motifs, reflecting a period when designs were disseminated for artisans. Note the eight-petaled rosettes, centrally positioned as if radiating outwards. Similar emblems can be seen gracing the robes of ancient Mesopotamian deities, symbolizing the sun and cosmic order. Here, the rosette’s recurrence is not merely decorative; it is an echo resonating through centuries, transformed yet familiar. Like a dream, such patterns resurface, laden with ancestral memories, speaking to us in a language beyond words. Consider the human element of this image: the needleworker whose vision would have been inspired by this design, connecting the viewer to a universal human desire for beauty and order. In this, we see how symbols persist, adapting like tenacious vines, always finding new soil to root in, reminding us of the enduring power of images across time.