Page from Ein new kunstlich Modelbuch...(Page 40v) 1544

This is a page from Peter Quentel’s "Ein new kunstlich Modelbuch," a woodcut pattern book, dating back to the 16th century. At its heart, we see a stylized tree motif, a symbol deeply rooted in the human psyche. The tree—a "Dendron"— appears throughout the history of art. Think of the Tree of Life in ancient Assyrian reliefs, or the symbolic trees laden with meaning in countless Renaissance paintings, reaching toward the divine. But here, the tree is translated into a grid, a structured pattern intended for needlework. The grid itself is a fascinating element, calling to mind the rational order of the Renaissance, which is refigured by the emotional impulse of artistic creativity. These patterns connect to a deep-seated human desire for order and beauty, a way of understanding and controlling the natural world through art. The symbol returns, reshaped by time, yet echoing the ancient longing for connection to something greater than ourselves.