Les Secondes Oeuvres, et Subtiles Inventions De Lingerie du Seigneur Federic de Vinciolo Venitien, page 2 (recto) 1603

This is the second page of Federico de Vinciolo’s “Les Secondes Oeuvres,” a book of lace-making patterns published without a date in Venice. Vinciolo, though Italian, dedicated his work to the women of France, attempting to give them patterns that would suit their taste. The book is a product of the Renaissance interest in craft and design, but it also speaks to the changing role of women in the 16th century. Lace-making was a highly skilled and valued occupation, and books like this allowed women to participate in the commercial world. It's difficult to establish the precise social context of “Les Secondes Oeuvres” without further information. To fully understand this artwork, scholars might consider who bought and used the book and how it was perceived by different social classes. Researching the history of lace-making and the role of women in the Venetian economy could further illuminate its cultural significance.