Neu künstlich Modelbuch (page 34r) 1598

Editor: Here we have page 34r from *Neu künstlich Modelbuch*, a print made in 1598 by Bernhard Jobin, featuring engraving, woodcut and drawing. It's interesting to see the grid-like structure, how that imposes an order. How do you interpret this piece? Curator: These “model books” were common, circulating patterns for needlework and other crafts. They are interesting as carriers of visual memory, and how symbols translate across media. The repeating motifs – floral patterns, geometric borders – what might they evoke? Editor: They seem decorative, almost mathematical in their precision. Is there a deeper cultural meaning embedded in these patterns beyond mere decoration? Curator: Think about the domestic sphere, where these designs would most likely appear. These motifs offered not only templates for creating household items or personal adornments, but might carry symbolic weight related to family, status, and cultural identity. Look closer at that bottom pattern for example – do the shapes remind you of anything? Editor: They almost look like stylized flowers within a hexagon. So, by choosing specific patterns, people could consciously display these values or affiliations? Curator: Precisely. Consider the circulation of these books – images acting as cultural currency, reinforcing shared meanings across regions and generations. The images within them become anchors for cultural identity. Editor: That’s fascinating. I had initially viewed it just as a pretty design, but I now appreciate the rich layer of symbolism. Curator: Exactly, art speaks through symbols! It encourages looking closely at how these repeating elements work as both design and coded messaging, and reminds us that even functional arts communicate so much.