Schon newes Modelbuch...Page 7(r) 1617

This is plate 7 from “Schon newes Modelbuch…”, a book of model patterns created by Sigismundus Latomus in the early 17th century. It's an engraving, a printmaking technique that allowed for the wide distribution of images. The image shows a series of geometric designs, likely intended as templates for needlework or lacemaking. In 17th-century Europe, pattern books like these played a crucial role in disseminating artistic ideas. They democratized design, making it accessible to artisans and craftspeople beyond the elite circles of courtly art. The level of detail suggests a society that valued intricacy and fine craftsmanship. As well as the economic structure of production, we can also examine the significance of gender roles. Needlework was primarily a domestic activity undertaken by women, and books such as this would have allowed women to participate in the broader artistic and economic life of the period. To understand this artwork better, one could explore the history of printmaking, the socio-economics of textile production, and the role of women in early modern European society.