Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 18 (recto)

ABOUT THIS WORK

This intricate woodcut, a page from a 1591 pattern book titled Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce (Flowers of Embroidery Newly Brought to Light), offers a glimpse into the world of Renaissance needlework. The design features a delicate, repeating floral motif, perfect for adorning textiles or garments. Florimi’s book served as a practical guide for embroiderers, providing them with sophisticated patterns that could be adapted for various projects. The precision of the lines and the balanced composition highlight the decorative aesthetics popular in the late 16th century. Such pattern books were essential tools for artisans, reflecting a period when decorative arts flourished and craftsmanship was highly valued.

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

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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 18 (recto)

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01Whole painting

Diagonal grid of squares

The pattern is built from tilted squares set edge to edge, each filled with its own lace stitch. The eye zigzags across the page from cell to cell.

02

Bird in the center

In the middle diamond, a small winged creature, perhaps a bird, is drawn in fine crosshatching. It is one of very few figures among the geometric cells, so it draws the eye.

1 of 4 on the painting

03

Round starburst medallions

Round rosettes sit near the corners, each with a radiating star in white against dark. They anchor the layout and balance the diagonal grid.

2 of 4 on the painting

04

White lines on black

The design is cut so that the lace threads read as white and the ground as solid black. Notice how fine the cut lines are in the checkered grid cells.

3 of 4 on the painting

05

Printed ending mark

Below the block, the words IL FINE in plain type sit beneath the pattern. The simple letters contrast with the dense design above.

4 of 4 on the painting

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THE ARTIST