Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 30 (recto) by Matteo Pagano

Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 30 (recto)

Matteo Pagano · 1563

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“Step into the world of Renaissance craftsmanship with this woodcut pattern, a practical guide for intricate embroidery and lace. Its precise, repeating design showcases the era's love for decorative detail and geometric harmony.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This woodcut, from Matteo Pagano's 1563 pattern book, “Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo...” (Triumph of Virtue. New Book...), presents a complex, symmetrical design intended for embroidery or lace. The page is filled with a repeating geometric pattern, featuring interlocking quatrefoils and stylized floral motifs that create a sense of continuous movement across the surface. This type of pattern book was essential for artisans in Renaissance Venice, providing intricate templates for decorative arts. The precision of the woodcut medium allowed for the reproduction of these elaborate designs, making them accessible to a wider audience of needleworkers and lace makers. The work exemplifies the era's appreciation for order and decorative richness, translating abstract patterns into a practical guide for textile creation.

DETAILS
Artist
Matteo Pagano
Date
1563
Medium
Woodcut
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
Overall: 9 13/16 x 7 7/8 in. (25 x 20 cm)
Collection
Drawings and Prints
Credit line
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1937
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What to Notice

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

Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 30 (recto)
01

Observe the delicate, almost lace-like quality of the lines.

02

Notice the repeating quatrefoil (four-leaf) shapes forming the core of the pattern.

03

Look for the small, stylized floral elements nestled within the geometric framework.

04

See how the pattern is designed to interlock seamlessly, suggesting endless repetition.

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THE ARTIST

Matteo Pagano

Matteo Pagano, an Italian printmaker, created intricate woodcut designs for lace patterns and other decorative arts in 16th-century Venice.

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