La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 2 (recto) 1605

Curator: This manuscript page, "La Pratique de l'Aiguille," from 1605, is fascinating. The artist is Matthias Mignerak. The detail in that initial "M"! I’m struck by the density of the text; it’s a very particular moment in the history of textile production, fashion and its relation to social license, as I would dare to define. Editor: It’s intimidating to look at all that early modern French. I get the sense it was some sort of gift, considering all the Madame-ing going on in there. What do you see in this work, though? Curator: It’s a dance between craftsmanship and commerce! This wasn’t just about needles and thread. Courtly circles followed one basic rule that still stands strong to this day, and that's being at the center of it all. This beautifully illuminated initial is as decorative as one of the gowns this treatise likely informed. What do you think it might have represented to someone living back then? Editor: Prestige? Wealth? Curator: Definitely. It’s tempting to reduce textile to simple matters, but people, goods and knowledge were always entangled, you know? Also the drawing must be very precise, which also means laborious. Imagine the time it would have taken Mignerak. Do you find any personal element to all this dedication? Editor: Possibly. It is visually stunning but so formal at the same time. I never thought about how luxurious simple techniques might have been. Curator: It is the very human connection between intention, and outcome. Maybe it's not that different today! What do you think? Editor: You know, I can definitely see how it echoes through the ages! Thanks, I understand the nuances and implications more clearly. Curator: My pleasure. The more we share, the more complete any piece of artwork becomes, don’t you think?