Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts... page 18 (recto) 1588

This is a page from "Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts...", an embroidery pattern book created around the late 16th century by Federico de Vinciolo. These books offered designs for the rising fashion of cutwork lace, a technique that allowed the wealthy to adorn clothing and household linens with intricate, geometric patterns. At the time of its creation, pattern books were luxury items which democratized design, giving women access to a wider range of decorative possibilities. Artisans, mostly women, used Vinciolo’s models to create the lace, whose value was determined by the complexity of the work and preciousness of the materials. The patterns within his books reflect both traditional and innovative forms and stand as a testament to the artistic exchange between the designer, the lacemakers, and the consumers. Consider how this page served as a blueprint for self-expression and social status, but also as a means of income for many women. It reminds us that art, even in its most functional forms, carries layers of meaning and history.