Il Monte. Opera Nova di Recami, page 6 (recto) 1557 - 1570

Giovanni Antonio Bindoni created this woodcut, ‘Il Monte. Opera Nova di Recami, page 6 (recto),’ sometime between 1500 and 1650. It presents a page from a book of embroidery patterns, reflecting the period’s vibrant visual culture. This image creates meaning through its formal arrangement of botanical motifs and geometric shapes. Made in Italy, it speaks to the country’s rich tradition of textile production and design. The patterns would have been used by women, and sometimes men, who embroidered textiles for clothing and domestic use. Such books served an important function in the social and economic life of the time, as they provided models for skilled artisans and helped to standardize design. They also reflect a growing interest in the commercialization of art, as publishers sought to profit from the demand for printed images. By studying such objects and their contexts, historians can gain insight into the complex relationship between art, commerce, and society in early modern Europe.