Les Secondes Oeuvres, et Subtiles Inventions De Lingerie du Seigneur Federic de Vinciolo Venitien, page 34 (recto) 1603

This is page 34 from ‘Les Secondes Oeuvres’ by Federico de Vinciolo, a Venetian pattern book, printed with woodcut. The design dominates, featuring a monochromatic grid of intricate needlework patterns that seem to oscillate between figure and ground. The composition divides the page into rectangular sections, each filled with dense, symmetrical motifs formed by tiny squares. Note how Vinciolo uses the grid structure, not just as a framework, but as the very language of the design itself. The interplay of positive and negative space creates a visual push and pull, challenging our perception. The patterns, while decorative, also hint at a deeper engagement with structure and order. The rigid geometry contrasts with the softness expected from textile arts, blurring the lines between the functional and the aesthetic. This tension embodies a broader cultural fascination of the time with categorization and the challenge to fixed meanings, prompting us to consider how even the most utilitarian designs can be fertile ground for intellectual play.