Gemma pretiosa della virtuose donne, page 3 (recto) 1625

Isabella Catanea Parasole created this engraving, a page from "Gemma pretiosa della virtuose donne," sometime around the turn of the 17th century. Printed books of lace patterns offered women of the Renaissance a means of engaging with the world of design and commerce. In Italy at this time, the production of lace was not merely a domestic craft; it was a skilled profession. The designs, like those seen here, reveal how female artists and artisans navigated the patriarchal structures of their society. Parasole’s book made the claim that virtuous women, through their artistic and technical skills, possessed a precious jewel. This publication is an early instance of an artist staking a claim for women's artistic labor. Further research into account books, guild records, and surviving examples of needlework can reveal the complex social and economic conditions in which women artists like Parasole operated. The history of art can provide us with alternative perspectives on the dominant social narratives of the past.