Gemma pretiosa della virtuose donne, page 13 (recto) 1625

This page from *Gemma pretiosa della virtuose donne*, a pattern book for needlework, was created in 1625 by Italian artist Isabella Catanea Parasole. The book is a collection of designs for different stitches, including reticella, which is a form of needle lace that is characterized by its fine, openwork design. The image shows a page with four different patterns for reticella, each designed with a different combination of geometric shapes, leaves, and flowers, all rendered in black and white. This book was likely intended for women of the nobility and upper classes, who would have had the time and resources to create these intricate and beautiful pieces.