Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne, page 22 (verso) 1554

This is page 22 from Matteo Pagano’s "Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne," an undated woodcut now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Published in Venice, this book of patterns speaks to the social fabric of 16th-century Italy, where the lives of women were steeped in expectations of piety and domestic skill. Lace-making and embroidery were not merely hobbies, but crucial accomplishments that reflected a woman's virtue and suitability for marriage. Pagano’s designs offered women inspiration and instruction, subtly reinforcing their roles within a patriarchal society. Yet, within these constraints, women found agency. By mastering these intricate patterns, they expressed creativity, and individuality. Each stitch was a quiet act of defiance, transforming utilitarian tasks into forms of personal expression. In viewing this page, consider the countless hours spent by women, bringing these patterns to life and in doing so, weaving their own stories into the fabric of their existence.