Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts... page 44 (recto) 1588

This is page 44 from Federico de Vinciolo's "Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts," likely made in the late 16th century using ink on paper. It showcases a design for needle lace, a painstaking process of building up patterns stitch by stitch. Looking closely, you can see the delicate grid that structures the whole composition. This reflects the step-by-step work needed to create actual lace. The pattern shows birds perched on branches, stylized and geometric, almost like a coded message. De Vinciolo’s book was part of a booming industry; the production of printed manuals allowed for the standardization of design and the widespread dissemination of techniques. With the rise of a merchant class across Europe at this time, needlework offered women a means to participate in the market economy. Consider that a pattern like this would translate into hours of meticulous work and the creation of an intricate, prized textile. It challenges our conventional hierarchies, reminding us that so-called 'minor arts' often carry major cultural significance.