New Künstlichs Modelbuch (Page 36 recto) 1600

This alphabet, from Bernhard Jobin’s “New Künstlichs Modelbuch,” printed in the late 16th century, is made with woodcut on paper. The grid and blocky letterforms mimic the look of counted thread embroidery, using the print medium to disseminate needlework patterns. Look closely and you can see how Jobin used the knife to carefully define each letter, building the forms from a multitude of tiny cuts. The inky black letters contrast with the paper, but the texture of the woodblock is also visible. This was a period of huge growth in the textile trade, and pattern books like this one fueled demand by providing designs for fashionable clothing and domestic furnishings. Publishing these patterns democratized access to design. The Modelbuch is a reminder that all images, even those that appear simple or functional, are the result of material choices, skilled labor, and social context.