Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 18 (verso) 1563

This page, created by Matteo Pagano in the 16th century, is an excellent example of a woodcut print. This process involves carving a design into a block of wood, applying ink to the raised surface, and then pressing paper against it. Notice how the material properties of the wood itself influence the final image. The artist had to carefully carve away at the block, following the grain and accounting for the way the ink would sit on the surface. This particular print is from a book of designs, showcasing patterns that could be used by artisans in other fields, like embroidery or metalwork. This reveals a fascinating aspect of the Renaissance era; the circulation of design knowledge. Woodcuts allowed for the mass production of visual ideas, influencing craft practices and aesthetics across different media. The act of making, in this case, directly enabled a network of exchange, blurring the lines between the fine arts and the decorative arts.