Teatro delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne..., page 11 (recto) 1616

This intricate woodcut, "Teatro delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne...", is a page from a 1616 book of embroidery patterns by Isabella Catanea Parasole, an Italian artist known for her needlework designs. This intricate page, showcasing a corner design with scrolling foliage, exemplifies Parasole's talent for creating visually complex and elegant patterns. The pattern includes repeating elements, like the crown and floral motifs, that add a sense of rhythm and harmony. This woodcut would have been used by women of the time to recreate these patterns in their own embroidery projects, reflecting the high value placed on needlework as a skilled art form in 17th-century Italy.