Livre de Moresques, title page (verso) 1546

This is the title page of *Livre de Moresques,* a book of ornamental designs made in 1545 by Cornelis Bos, probably using the intaglio printmaking technique of engraving. Bos was part of a generation of artists who adapted the visual language of classical antiquity into new forms, like the moresque, also known as arabesque. This linear, abstract style was perfectly suited to the crisp lines attainable through engraving, where a design is cut directly into a metal plate. It also allowed for the efficient reproduction of patterns, which could then be circulated widely and applied across media. Books like this one were pattern sources for all kinds of makers—goldsmiths, sculptors, and tapestry weavers, among others. In this way, engraving played a crucial role in the burgeoning world of early modern luxury production, providing designs that could be replicated and reworked for a growing consumer market. So, this seemingly modest page is evidence of a radical shift in the production and dissemination of design.