Schön newes Modelbuch (Page 11r) 1608

Editor: So, this is *Schön newes Modelbuch* from 1608, by Sigismundus Latomus. It's an engraving, very intricate. The geometric patterns are interesting, but kind of rigid. What do you see in it? Curator: I see a reflection of the Renaissance's fascination with order and harmony, a desire to codify the world through visual language. Notice how the geometric forms are interwoven with floral motifs. Do you think this contrast infuses emotional tension into this symbolic order? Editor: That's interesting... I hadn't thought of the floral elements as emotional. They seemed just decorative to me. Curator: Think about the tradition of ornament design as cultural memory. How is information communicated across time? The shapes create visual mnemonics - they become emotional flashpoints in the lives of their viewers. Are they supposed to remind you of a garden, for instance? Editor: Ah, I see! It is not just geometry then. So the symbols are like triggers? Curator: Yes, each of the lines can represent the universe. We find shapes everywhere in nature and in our collective history. But they might remind one person of stained glass, or evoke very intimate feelings to another. Does it alter your feeling about it? Editor: It does actually. It makes it feel less cold and more connected, maybe? More alive, in a way. I will certainly be looking at art, or ornamental pieces, with more scrutiny now! Curator: Precisely. Look closer and the past comes alive, revealing the roots of our own visual understanding.