La Vera Perfettione del Disegno di varie sorti di recami, page 32 (verso) 1567

Editor: So, here we have Giovanni Ostaus's engraving from 1567, "La Vera Perfettione del Disegno di varie sorti di recami." It's a page from a book, showcasing different embroidery patterns. They look almost like pixelated mosaics. What stands out to you? Curator: Immediately, I see the persistence of memory encoded in geometric forms. Look at the Greek key motif at the very top. This symbol, once laden with significance in ancient Greece, signifying eternity and interconnectedness, reappears here centuries later, transformed into a design element for embroidery. What cultural echoes do you hear in it? Editor: That’s a great observation! I hadn’t considered its deeper roots, just the aesthetic value. Curator: Precisely. And note how Ostaus, likely drawing on earlier traditions, presents these designs not merely as decoration, but as a ‘perfettione’ – a true perfection. The designs connect forward to us and backward to previous times. Do you see that kind of through line happening? Editor: I guess so. These designs probably ended up influencing textile art for centuries. Curator: Indeed. Visual motifs operate this way, acting as conduits across time, retaining remnants of their past meanings. What psychological effect do you think the repetition of such patterns might have had on those creating and viewing them? Editor: Hmm, maybe a sense of order and continuity, reassuring in a world of change? Curator: Exactly! There's a grounding, almost meditative quality to repetition. These patterns were not just decorative; they were mnemonic devices, carrying cultural knowledge. The practice of needlework connects these women to earlier female artisan traditions and that collective unconsciousness shows in these designs. Editor: I’m seeing this piece in a whole new light now, thank you. Curator: My pleasure. These are historical lessons encoded through visual devices, to create meaning and memories.