Il Monte. Opera Nova di Recami, page 12 (recto)

Art Historical Context

Step into the intricate world Renaissance craftsmanship with *Il Monte. Opera Nova Recami*, page 12 (recto), a delicate woodcut print from a pattern book produced after 1557. by the esteemed firms of Giovanni Antonio Bindoni and & Marchio Sessakey players in Venice's vibrant printing scene—this page exemplifies the era's explosion of ornamental design books. These volumes disseminated motifs for lacemaking (*recami*), embroidery, and architecture, fueling Europe's decorative arts during a time when Venice was a nexus of trade, innovation, and artistic exchange. Crafted as a woodcut, the medium's strength lies in its precision and reproducibility, allowing artisans across workshops to replicate elaborate patterns with ease. Measuring just 7 7/8 x 5 11/16 inches, this compact page bursts with ornamental detail, showcasing the technical finesse of 16th-century block-cutting. Later bound by Chambolle-Duru, it reflects centuries of preservation, now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund of 1930. Imagine lace-makers in bustling Renaissance ateliers poring over such pages, transforming ink into wearable art. This woodcut not only captures the period's obsession with symmetry and flourish but also underscores printing's role in democratizing high design for everyday creators. A true gem of ornamental history!

About the Artist

Giovanni Antonio Bindoni|Giovanni & Marchio Sessa|Chambolle-Duru (Italian|Italian|French) · 1500 |1500 |1861 –1650 |1600 |1915

|Italian, active 1557|French, active 1861–1915