Esemplario di Lauori..., title page (recto)
August 1, 1532
Medium
Woodcut
Dimensions
Overall: 8 7/16 x 6 5/16 in. (21.5 x 16 cm)
Classification
Books|Prints|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1918
Accession Number
18.74(1)
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This woodcut title page, dated August 1, 1532, introduces *Esemplario di Lavori*, a printed book of ornamental designs created by Giovanni Andrea Vavassore in collaboration with Florio Vavassore. Measuring just over 8 by 6 inches, the page exemplifies the early use of woodcut printing to disseminate patterns for embroidery, lace, and architectural decoration. The medium’s bold lines and repeatable motifs made such books affordable and widely accessible during the Renaissance, when interest in decorative arts flourished across Europe. The artwork reflects the period’s blend of practical craft ...
About the Artist
Giovanni Andrea Vavassore|Florio Vavassore · 1530–1573
**Giovanni Andrea Vavassore (c. 1490s–1572)** Giovanni Andrea Vavassore, also known as Zoan Andrea or Guadagnino, hailed from Telgate near Bergamo in the Venetian terraferma and established himself in Venice by the early 16th century as a skilled wood engraver. His early life remains sparsely documented, with no records of formal training or mentors, though his initial output as a xylographer rev...