Prima parte de' fiori, page 3 (recto) 1591

Giovanni Battista Ciotti created "Prima parte de' fiori, page 3 (recto)" using woodcut on paper. During the late 16th and early 17th centuries, pattern books such as this one served as guides for lacemakers and embroiderers, mostly women working within domestic settings. The designs in "Prima parte de' fiori" reflect both the period's geometric sensibilities and its hierarchical social structures. The intricate patterns suggest a certain level of skill and affluence, underscoring the close relationship between artistic creation and social identity. These books provided women with creative outlets and, at times, economic independence, as they contributed to the creation of valuable textiles. Yet, the constraints of the domestic sphere and the limited recognition afforded to women artists also speak to broader issues of gender and artistic expression. This art allows us to reflect on how women navigated their roles as creators and how their work shaped, and was shaped by, the socio-economic conditions of their time.