Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 15 (recto)

This woodcut, "Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 15 (recto)," is a fascinating glimpse into the world of 16th-century Italian pattern books. Created by Matteo Pagano in 1563, it comes from a larger volume, a "new book" dedicated to the "Triumph of Virtue." These books were essential resources for artisans, particularly those involved in textile arts like embroidery and lace-making. Pagano himself was a prolific Venetian printer and publisher, known for producing numerous such design manuals. While we don't have his birth or death years, the consistent output of similar woodcut pattern books from the mid-16th century, like "L'Honesto Essempio" from 1556, confirms this artwork's plausible dating within his active career. This particular page, like others in the series, would have offered intricate patterns, likely for various decorative applications, reflecting the prevailing aesthetic tastes and the high demand for detailed ornamentation during the Renaissance.