La Vera Perfettione del Disegno di varie sorti di recami, page 23 (recto) 1567

This is page 23 from "La Vera Perfettione del Disegno di varie sorti di recami," made by Giovanni Ostaus around 1600, using the intaglio technique of engraving. Look closely, and you can see how the composition is built from thousands of tiny lines incised into a copper plate. The image shows figures in a landscape, likely intended as a pattern for embroidery. Note the intricate cross-hatching used to build up tone and shadow. This wasn't just a question of artistic vision. The engraver needed a deep understanding of how lines translate into fabric. The texture of the print simulates the texture of a finished textile. Consider the labor involved, both in creating the original design and in the subsequent needlework. Books like this one helped to fuel a fashion industry, creating patterns that could be replicated and customized by skilled artisans, primarily women. This print is a document of that world, blurring the lines between art, craft, and commerce.