Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne, page 13 (verso) 1554

This page from *Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne* was printed in Venice in 1554 by Matthio Pagano, using movable type. Each letter was individually cast in metal, arranged to form words, then inked and pressed onto paper. The crisp impression and even lines speak to the skill of the printer. But more than that, this book represents a pivotal moment in the history of labor. Before the printing press, texts were painstakingly handwritten. The advent of mechanical reproduction allowed for knowledge to be disseminated far more widely, which had a leveling effect on society. The poem is an advertisement targeting women, who are encouraged to buy the book to learn needlework patterns. They will be praised and bring joy to their hearts. This small page, then, encapsulates the rise of both capitalism, literacy, and a shift in gender roles as women were increasingly addressed as consumers.