Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 11 (recto) by Matteo Florimi

Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 11 (recto)

Matteo Florimi · 1591

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“Step into the world of Renaissance design with this woodcut pattern, an exquisite example of the floral motifs that inspired artisans creating lace, embroidery, and other decorative arts in the late 1500s.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This intricate woodcut presents a dense, symmetrical pattern of intertwining floral motifs, characteristic of the elaborate lace and embroidery designs popular in late 16th-century Europe. The title, "Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce," translates to "Flowers of Embroidery Newly Brought to Light," suggesting its purpose as a pattern book for artisans. Here, delicate tendrils of leaves and blossoms unfurl from a central point, creating a mirror image across the page. The design is so tightly woven it almost resembles a textile itself, inviting close inspection to trace each individual element. This particular page, one of many in the series, showcases the era's fascination with natural forms transformed into decorative art, providing inspiration for everything from needlework to architectural ornamentation.

DETAILS
Artist
Matteo Florimi
Date
1591
Medium
Woodcut
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
Overall: 5 1/2 x 7 7/8 in. (14 x 20 cm)
Collection
Drawings and Prints
Credit line
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1953
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 11 (recto)

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4 details are marked · pick a number
01

Central wheel motif

Find the big round motif in the lower middle, with thick white spokes fanning out from a small dotted hub. It is the boldest shape on the page.

1 of 4 on the painting
02

Row of pointed arches

Four arch-shaped panels line up across the middle, each holding a starburst. Their steady repeat gives the eye a rhythm to follow from left to right.

2 of 4 on the painting
03

White lines from black

Look at the star on the lower left. Its fine white lines and tiny dots stand out from a dark ground, which is typical of woodcut, where the carver cuts away the areas that should not print.

3 of 4 on the painting
04

Birds in the top band

In the narrow strip along the top, look for small curling shapes that may be stylized birds, tucked among the diamond and star patterns. They are easy to skip past.

4 of 4 on the painting
05Whole painting

A page from a bound book

The print sits on a soft, aged page with a visible gutter at the left. It suggests a bound book of patterns, likely meant to be leafed through and used as a design source.

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THE ARTIST

Matteo Florimi

1540–1603

Matteo Florimi was a prolific Italian engraver and publisher, known for his religious prints and intricate embroidery patterns.

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