Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer (Page, 3v) 1604

This is a page from Johann Sibmacher's "Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer," a book of embroidery patterns printed in Germany, around 1604. These books played a crucial role in shaping the visual culture and social norms of the time. Printed pattern books made designs accessible to a wider audience than ever before. The text surrounding the pattern is just as interesting as the design itself. It's an ode to virtuous women who take pride in their work with wool and flax. In a time of strict social codes, needlework became a means of expressing personal identity and social status. To fully understand the significance of these books, we need to look at the social and economic conditions of 17th-century Europe. What role did guilds play in regulating artistic production? How did religious beliefs influence the choice of motifs and patterns? What does it tell us about the evolving role of women in society? These are some of the questions that drive my research, questions that help us see art as more than just aesthetic objects, but as reflections of the societies that created them.