Giardineto novo di punti tagliati et gropposi per exercitio & ornamento delle donne (Venice 1554), page 8 (recto) 1554

This is page 8 from "Giardineto novo di punti tagliati et gropposi per exercitio & ornamento delle donne," a book of lace patterns printed in Venice in 1554 by Matteo Pagano. In the 16th century, Venice was a hub for the production of luxury goods and the printing of pattern books like this one, which catered to the city’s wealthy female population. The title translates to "A New Garden of Cut and Knotted Stitches for the Exercise and Ornament of Women," which gives you some idea of the prescribed gender roles of the time. The designs were meant to provide patterns for women to create intricate lace, reflecting the Renaissance emphasis on ornamentation and refinement. But beyond its decorative function, lace-making was a crucial skill that could provide economic independence for women. The geometric patterns also evoke the broader social context of Venice, a republic built on trade. The grid-like structure and overall symmetry could symbolize the order and balance that was so important to Venetian society. While seemingly simple, this pattern book reflects a complex web of gender, class, and economic forces in Renaissance Italy.