Pretiosa Gemma delle virtuose donne, page 23 (recto) 1600

Editor: This is "Pretiosa Gemma delle virtuose donne, page 23 (recto)," created around 1600 by Isabella Catanea Parasole. It’s an engraving printed on paper, and it’s interesting how geometric and repetitive the pattern is. What do you see in this work? Curator: What strikes me immediately is the tension between its functional purpose as a pattern for lace-making and its potential for radical expression. These "books of secrets" were integral to women's economic roles, offering avenues for creativity. It is intriguing that the piece exists materially as a print, rather than the textile, and I find it vital to see it this way as it expands possibilities for the woman maker of the period. Does viewing the image in this way affect your impression? Editor: It does make me think differently about it! So, these pattern books weren't just about aesthetics but were also a form of female empowerment? Curator: Precisely. They represent a claim to artistic and economic agency within a patriarchal society. How might this intersect with class and access, do you think? Were these opportunities open to all women? Editor: That's a great question. I imagine that while pattern books may have spread ideas, the ability to access the materials and the leisure time to practice these crafts would have been limited by socioeconomic status. Curator: Exactly. Considering these factors gives us a more nuanced understanding of women's roles, power, and resistance in the 17th century. This isn’t just a pretty pattern; it's a historical document filled with information about gender, class, and artistic expression. Editor: I never would have looked at it that way on my own! Thanks. I’m definitely walking away with a deeper appreciation for this unassuming page.