Spechio di pensieri delle belle et Virtudiose donne, page 6 (verso) 1546

This page comes from a book of lace patterns, printed by Matteo Pagano in Venice in the 1550s. The design is realized through the process of woodcut, a technique that involves carving away the negative space around a design on a block of wood, inking the remaining surface, and then pressing it onto paper. The bold graphic quality of the pattern owes much to this direct, linear process. Consider the way the black ink sits on the surface, and how the geometric forms create a dynamic visual rhythm. The design itself—a complex interweaving of lines and shapes—speaks to the intricate handwork of lacemaking. These pattern books were instrumental in disseminating design ideas, fueling the fashion for lace that swept across Europe during the Renaissance. But they also speak to the labor involved. Making lace was painstaking work, often done by women in their homes. By understanding the link between the printed page and the needleworker's art, we can appreciate how these images played a vital role in the world of craft production, and the vital contribution of women in the decorative arts.