Schön newes Modelbuch (Page 3r) 1608

This is a page from *Schön newes Modelbuch* by Sigismundus Latomus, created sometime between 1599 and 1632. The black-on-white design, organized in two distinct bands, uses a grid of diamond shapes. The overall visual effect is one of intricate, almost mesmerizing repetition. Each diamond contains variations of floral and geometric motifs. The formal repetition suggests a deeper conceptual interest in structure. The composition invites us to consider the semiotic function of ornament in early modern pattern books. These books were not just decorative, they were encoding a system of signs. Each motif is a unit of meaning. These could be deciphered and deployed in various cultural and social contexts. Consider how the texture of the woodcut itself, with its crisp lines and stark contrast, reinforces the sense of order and clarity. This emphasizes the underlying structures that govern both the artistic creation and its potential uses in embroidery or other crafts. Ultimately, *Schön newes Modelbuch* functions as a kind of proto-structuralist exercise. It invites us to decode its visual grammar and understand the cultural logic it embodies.