Studio delle virtuose Dame, page 9 (recto) 1597

This woodcut, part of Isabella Catanea Parasole's *Studio delle virtuose Dame*, is a striking example of 16th-century Italian needlework design. The intricate pattern, featuring stylized floral motifs and pomegranates against a black background, exemplifies the meticulous detail and geometric precision characteristic of Renaissance needlework. The design would have been used as a model for embroidery, providing guidance for the skilled hands of Italian ladies of the time. The woodcut, now preserved at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, allows us to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of this often-overlooked artistic tradition.