“Stop to appreciate this 17th-century woodcut, a page from a pattern book for needlework that reveals the exquisite detail and design skill behind historical textiles.”
This woodcut, "La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 43 (recto)," offers a glimpse into the intricate world of needlework from the early 17th century. The page presents a series of meticulously designed patterns, likely intended for lacemakers or embroiderers. Each motif is a delicate arrangement of geometric and floral elements, demonstrating the sophisticated artistry involved in textile design during this period. The precision of the lines, despite the woodcut medium, highlights the skill required to translate such elaborate designs onto a printable block. This particular sheet, one of many from the larger work "La Pratique de l'Aiguille," served as a practical guide, enabling artisans to replicate fashionable and complex designs that were highly prized in European courts and households.
- Artist
- Matthias Mignerak
- Date
- 1605
- Medium
- Woodcut
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- Overall: 9 1/4 x 7 1/16 in. (23.5 x 18 cm)
- Collection
- Drawings and Prints
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1920
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the central, large floral motif with its symmetrical petals and swirling tendrils.
Look at the smaller, repeating patterns along the borders, perfect for continuous designs.
Notice the tiny, almost bead-like dots that add texture and dimension to the patterns.
See how the negative space is used to define the intricate shapes of the lace.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 43 (recto) — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Matthias Mignerak
Matthias Mignerak's 1605 pattern book 'La Pratique de l'Aiguille' put fine needlework into the hands of everyday embroiderers.
Further Works by Mignerak
La Pratique de l'Aiguille
1605 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 10 (recto)
1605 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 11 (recto)
1605 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 12 (recto)
1605 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 14 (recto)
1605 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 15 (recto)
1605 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 16 (recto)
1605 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 17 (recto)
1605 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond Mignerak: works from the same years.
Same era · 1590s–1620s
The Capture of Samson
Peter Paul Rubens · 1609 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1590s–1620s
The Adoration of the Shepherds
El Greco · 1610
Same era · 1590s–1620s
The Entombment of Christ
Caravaggio · 1600 · Pinacoteca Vaticana
Same era · 1590s–1620s
Kitchen Scene
Diego Velázquez · 1618 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1590s–1620s
Boy with a Lute
Frans Hals · 1620 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1590s–1620s
The Feast in the House of Simon
El Greco (Doménikos Theotokópoulos) and workshop · 1608 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1590s–1620s
Winter Landscape with Snowfall near Antwerp
Jan Brueghel the Elder · 1610
Same era · 1590s–1620s
Flower Arrangements
Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen · 1595 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1590s–1620s
The Calling of Saint Matthew
Hendrick ter Brugghen · 1609 · Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
Same era · 1590s–1620s
An Allegory of Fruitfulness
Jacob Jordaens · 1620 · Wallace Collection
Same era · 1590s–1620s
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne
Georges de La Tour · 1600 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1590s–1620s
Flowers and Birds
Zhou Zhimian · 1595 · Los Angeles County Museum of Art
