Les Secondes Oeuvres, et Subtiles Inventions De Lingerie du Seigneur Federic de Vinciolo Venitien, page 11 (recto)

Art Historical Context

In the early 17th century, and fine linen work were symbols of elegance and status across Europe, adorning the collars, cuffs, and ruffs of the elite. This woodcut, page 11 (recto) from Federico de Vinci's *Les Secondesuvres, et Subtilesventions De Lingerie (1603), captures that opulent world. Created with contributions from engraver Jean Le Clerc dedicated to Catherine de Bourbon, it presents a page of ornamental patterns ideal for lacis (darned netting) and embroidery. Intricate motifs—human heads, strutting roosters, Christian crosses, and repeating ladder designs—offer versatile templates for artisans to weave into delicate fabrics. The woodcut medium, a precise relief printing technique, was revolutionary for its time, enabling mass production of such detailed designs at an accessible scale. Vinciolo, a Venetian master of lace patterns, bridged Italian Renaissance innovation with French tastes, making his books essential tools for needleworkers from Paris to London. Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1939), this 9 7/16 x 6 1/2 in. sheet reflects the era's fusion of art, craft, and fashion, preserving the "subtle inventions" that defined Baroque splendor.

About the Artist

Federico de Vinciolo|Jean Le Clerc|Catherine de Bourbon (Italian| |French) · 1582 | |1558 –1599 | |1604

Italian, active Paris, ca. 1587–99| |French, 1558–1604