New Modelbüch (Page 19r) 1615

This is a page from the “New Modelbüch,” or New Model Book, created around 1600 by Andreas Bretschneider, a German artist. The book is made up of line drawings intended as patterns for embroidery and cutwork. These pattern books gained popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries, reflecting a growing demand from the rising merchant class for luxury goods and fashionable clothing. The designs, with their floral motifs and geometric forms, were not simply decorative. They were potent symbols of status and taste. The rise of pattern books also speaks to a changing artistic landscape. Artists like Bretschneider were responding to new markets. They were also negotiating their roles within a society that was increasingly driven by commerce. Understanding these designs requires us to consider the social context of their creation. By looking at the economic and cultural forces at play in 17th century Europe, we can start to see how these designs might have been used to perform social identity. This in turn tells us about the politics of imagery and the public role of art.