Lucidario di Recami, page 5 (recto) 1564

Iseppo Foresto designed this page of "Lucidario di Recami" in Italy sometime in the mid-16th century as an etching printed in black ink. These designs, organized in horizontal bands and squares, were intended to guide women in creating intricate needlework. The grid overlaid on each design served as a guide for transferring the patterns onto fabric. The designs themselves combine geometric forms with stylized floral motifs, reflecting the period's interest in both mathematical precision and natural forms. Manuals like this played a crucial role in disseminating artistic styles and techniques, influencing domestic arts and crafts. The publication of pattern books reflects the rise of a merchant class with disposable income, as well as increased literacy among women and the new possibilities offered by the printing press. By studying these books alongside social and economic histories of 16th-century Italy, we gain insight into the everyday lives of women. Art history is not just about paintings hanging on walls, but also about the broader social and cultural contexts that give meaning to all kinds of images.