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

Matteo Florimi, 1591

MEDIUMWoodcut
DIMENSIONSOverall: 5 1/2 x 7 7/8 in. (14 x 20 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

This woodcut is a page from a 16th-century pattern book by Matteo Florimi, offering intricate designs for embroidery and lace. It's a glimpse into the practical art of textile design that adorned Renaissance life.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

Step into the intricate world of 16th-century textile design with Matteo Florimi's 'Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 11 (recto).' This woodcut, part of a larger pattern book published in 1591, showcases Florimi's expertise in creating detailed and inspiring designs for embroidery. Florimi, active in Siena, was a prolific publisher and printmaker, known for producing a wide range of works, including religious engravings and, as seen here, practical design manuals. These pattern books were essential tools for artisans and aristocratic women across Europe, providing templates for the elaborate lace, needlework, and textile patterns that adorned clothing, household linens, and church vestments. The delicate precision of the woodcut medium allowed for the reproduction of complex floral and geometric motifs, making high-quality designs accessible to a broader audience. This specific page, like others in the series, demonstrates Florimi's contribution to the decorative arts, reflecting the era's appreciation for intricate craftsmanship and the widespread desire for elegant embellishment.

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What to Notice

1

Delicate floral and foliate motifs

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Symmetrical design for easy replication

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Fine lines characteristic of woodcut printing

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Audio Deep Dive

This woodcut is a page from a 16th-century pattern book by Matteo Florimi, offering intricate designs for embroidery and lace. It's a glimpse into the practica…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Matteo Florimi 1540–1603

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

Read Matteo's full story in Art Whisper
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