La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 74 (recto) by Matthias Mignerak

La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 74 (recto)

Matthias Mignerak · 1605

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“This woodcut from 1605 is a page from an instruction book, offering a precise pattern for needlework. It reveals the intricate artistry and practical skill involved in 17th-century textile design, making visible a craft that was central to daily life.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This small woodcut, "La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 74," presents a detailed pattern for needlework, a practical guide from a 17th-century instruction book. The design features an intricate floral motif, likely intended for embroidery or lace, demonstrating the era's sophisticated approach to decorative arts. Looking closely, you can see the precise lines and careful hatching that define the petals and leaves, a testament to the skill required to translate such delicate forms into a woodblock print. This page is part of a larger volume, suggesting the widespread interest in and importance of textile crafts during this period. It offers a direct glimpse into the domestic and artistic practices of the early 1600s, showing how complex designs were disseminated and taught.

DETAILS
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
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What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 74 (recto)
01

The symmetrical arrangement of the floral elements.

02

The fine lines indicating the texture of leaves and petals.

03

The small, repeated dots forming part of the pattern.

04

The blank spaces, suggesting where thread or fabric would fill in.

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THE ARTIST

Matthias Mignerak

Matthias Mignerak's 1605 pattern book 'La Pratique de l'Aiguille' put fine needlework into the hands of everyday embroiderers.

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