Teatro delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne..., page 12 (recto) 1616

This is page 12 from "Teatro delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne...", made by Isabella Catanea Parasole around the turn of the 17th century, a pattern book for women. Parasole lived in a time when women's roles were very limited and domestic skills like needlework were highly valued. This book aimed to empower women by providing them with elaborate designs for lace, embroidery, and other crafts. The geometric shapes and patterns intertwine with naturalistic elements like flowers and vines. The designs reflected not just skill but also the status and refinement of the women who could produce them. The patterns are more than decoration, they are a testament to the creative labor of women. Each stitch was an assertion of identity and skill, pushing back against societal constraints. While "Teatro delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne..." provided patterns for women, it also subtly challenged their limited roles, making each creation an act of quiet defiance and self-expression.