“This 16th-century woodcut offers a window into the world of textile design, showcasing a detailed pattern intended for embroidery or lace, a testament to the era's appreciation for intricate handiwork.”
This woodcut, "Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 8 (recto)", offers a glimpse into the intricate world of 16th-century textile design. It presents a detailed pattern, likely intended for embroidery or lace, featuring a symmetrical arrangement of stylized floral motifs and curving tendrils. The delicate lines and precise rendering, characteristic of woodcut printing, allowed for the widespread dissemination of such designs, making them accessible to artisans and wealthy patrons alike. This page is part of a larger book, a "new book" as its title suggests, published in Venice in 1563, which would have served as a vital resource for those engaged in the domestic arts, reflecting the era's appreciation for skilled handiwork and decorative elegance. The design, with its repeating elements, speaks to the rhythm and patience required in the creation of textiles during this period.
- 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
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the repeating floral elements, designed for continuous embroidery.
Notice the delicate, almost lace-like quality of the lines.
Look for the subtle variations in thickness, suggesting depth and texture.
See how the pattern fills the entire page, implying its use as a template.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 8 (recto) — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Matteo Pagano
Matteo Pagano, an Italian printmaker, created intricate woodcut designs for lace patterns and other decorative arts in 16th-century Venice.
Further Works by Pagano
Spechio di pensieri delle belle et Virtudiose donne, page 14 (recto)
1546 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ornamento delle belle & virtuose donne, page 6 (recto)
1554 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 11 (recto)
1563 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 13 (verso)
1563 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 15 (recto)
1563 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 16 (verso)
1563 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 25 (recto)
1563 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Trionfo Di Virtu. Libro Novo..., page 28 (recto)
1563 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond Pagano: works from the same years.
Same era · 1540s–1570s
Penitent Magdalene
Titian · 1575
Same era · 1540s–1570s
The Assumption of the Virgin
El Greco · 1577 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1540s–1570s
The Tower of Babel
Pieter Bruegel the Elder · 1563
Same era · 1540s–1570s
The Meeting of Jacob and Rebecca, and Isaac Blessing Jacob from The Story of Jacob
Workshop of Jan van Tieghem · 1560 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1540s–1570s
Virgin and Child in a Church, also known as the Van Maelbeke Virgin
Wierix · 1575 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1540s–1570s
Close Helmet with Falling Buffe
Pompeo della Cesa · 1565 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1540s–1570s
Winter Landscape with Snowfall near Antwerp
Lucas van Valckenborch · 1575 · Städel Museum
Same era · 1540s–1570s
Virgin and Child with the infant Saint John the Baptist
Matteo Florimi · 1576 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
