Page from Eyn Newe kunstlich moetdelboech alle kunst (Page 8r) 1532

This is a page from ‘Eyn Newe kunstlich moetdelboech alle kunst (Page 8r),’ made around 1530 by Peter Quentel, using woodcut and letterpress in Cologne, Germany. These books provided patterns for artisans, reflecting the rise of a merchant class eager to display their wealth and status. The regular geometric forms interspersed with flora and fauna motifs speaks to the identity of the rising merchant class in Germany. It is a moment where standardized patterns allowed for the relatively quick and easy creation of textiles, carvings, and metal works. The black ink against the stark white page creates bold contrasts, characteristic of the period. The artist makes use of animals such as birds and sheep which are symbolic of the period. The book embodies a shift in creative production, as the mechanization of reproducible images democratized access to design, in a manner which speaks to modern trends. As you reflect on this page, consider how the desire for both uniformity and individuality shapes design even today.