Prima Parte de' Fiori, e Disegni di varie sorti di Ricami Moderni 1591

Giovanni Battista Ciotti created this woodcut, titled "Prima Parte de' Fiori, e Disegni di varie sorti di Ricami Moderni," which translates to "First Part of Flowers and Designs of Various Kinds of Modern Embroidery," in Italy, sometime between 1555 and 1659. The image presents a series of intricate patterns intended as templates for embroidery. Created at a time when printed books were becoming more accessible, pattern books like this democratized access to design. No longer were such designs limited to wealthy patrons who could commission them. The geometric patterns and stylized flora and fauna reflect the cultural tastes of the time, where classical forms were being reinterpreted in new ways. The presence of the griffin motif also reflects a rising interest in mythical creatures during the Renaissance. To understand the true value of this piece, scholars research the socio-economic conditions that influenced the production of printed books. They might also look into the history of embroidery as a domestic practice, and the gendering of labor in the early modern period.