Essempio di recammi, page 19 (recto) 1530

This is a page from "Essempio di recammi," or "Examples of Embroidery," printed in Venice in the 16th century by Giovanni Antonio Tagliente. Made with woodcut printing, the design demonstrates patterns for needlework. Note how the texture and form of the ribbons are achieved through the carving of the block. The process of printing was complex, demanding skilled labor at every stage, from the preparation of the woodblock to the final press. The designs reflect the period's focus on geometric patterns and symmetry, influencing the aesthetic of the finished embroidery. Embroidery samplers like this were essential to the fashion and domestic economy of the time. The book would have been used to inspire, and to allow for the transfer of designs, for those who were engaged in the making of textiles and clothing. Looking at this page, we can appreciate how Tagliente’s pattern book collapses boundaries between art, craft, and commerce. It's a reminder that the most beautiful and culturally significant objects often emerge from the intersection of skilled labor, artistic vision, and social necessity.