Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts... page 59 (recto) 1588

This is a page from "Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts...", a lace-making pattern book created in the late 16th century by Federico de Vinciolo. During this time, pattern books were more than just instructional guides; they symbolized wealth and status within the intricate social hierarchy of Renaissance Europe. Lace making was closely tied to gender and class. Predominantly practiced by women, it was a crucial skill for both personal adornment and economic survival. These designs, however, catered to an elite clientele who could afford such intricate work. Vinciolo, in publishing these patterns, played a role in defining and circulating notions of luxury and refinement. Consider the time it would take to execute this pattern. Imagine the conversations and shared experiences that would arise in the making of lace, a form of female labor and artistry often overlooked in historical narratives. Here, we see not just a pattern, but a glimpse into the lives and labor of women navigating the constraints and opportunities of their time.