Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 9 (recto) by Matteo Florimi

Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 9 (recto)

Matteo Florimi · 1591

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“Stop to appreciate this intricate woodcut from a 16th-century Italian pattern book, offering a glimpse into the sophisticated designs that guided Renaissance embroidery and textile arts.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This woodcut, "Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 9 (recto)," presents a delicate geometric pattern, a testament to the intricate needlework popular in late 16th-century Italy. The design features a repeating motif of stylized flowers and leaves, arranged in a precise grid that suggests a template for embroidery. Each element is rendered with a fine balance of solid lines and open spaces, creating a sense of lightness despite the density of the pattern. Published in 1591, this print comes from a pattern book, a common resource for artisans and wealthy households alike, providing inspiration and instruction for textile arts. These books were essential for disseminating fashionable designs across Europe, influencing everything from domestic linens to elaborate court attire. The woodcut medium, with its crisp lines and strong contrasts, was ideal for reproducing these patterns, making them accessible for study and replication.

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. Here’s where to look.

Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 9 (recto)
01

The central floral motif, a six-petaled blossom with a dotted center

02

How the leaves spiral outwards from the central flower

03

The delicate dots and dashes within the petals, adding texture

04

The repeating diagonal lines that connect each floral unit

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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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