Fiore D'Ogni Virtu Per le Nobili Et Honeste Matrone, page 13 (recto) 1610

This is a page from Fiore D'Ogni Virtu Per le Nobili Et Honeste Matrone, made by Isabella Catanea Parasole in the late 16th or early 17th century. It’s an instruction manual for lacemaking, produced using the relatively new technology of the printing press. The stark contrast of black ink on paper shows various lace patterns, each a dense composition of abstract shapes and stylized flora and fauna. Notice the incredible precision of the lines, achieved through the careful work of the engraver, who would have used specialized tools to carve the designs into a metal plate. This book wasn't just a guide; it was a tool for economic empowerment. Lace was a luxury good, and knowing how to make it meant noblewomen could generate income. Parasole was exceptional as a woman running her own workshop. The very act of printing and publishing this book challenged the traditional boundaries between art, craft, and commerce, reflecting a shift in the social status of women artists and artisans. It reminds us of the labor, skill, and social context embedded in every handmade object.