Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, title page (verso) 1591

This is the title page of "Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce," or "Embroidered Flowers Newly Brought to Light," made by Matteo Florimi around the turn of the 17th century. Printed on paper, this page is a testament to the power of the printing press as a mode of production, and an expression of early modern European visual culture. Note the crisp lines of the typeface and the elaborate initial "V," both achieved through meticulous woodcut techniques. The arrangement of text and image creates a balanced composition, reflecting the era's aesthetic sensibilities. But more than just a beautiful design, it's a window into the social context of its time. These books were pattern books marketed to upper class women, whose labor of embroidery connected them to a global economy of trade and consumption. Florimi produced not just art, but also the means of artistic production.