Les Secondes Oeuvres, et Subtiles Inventions De Lingerie du Seigneur Federic de Vinciolo Venitien, page 59 (recto)

Art Historical Context

Step into the intricate world of Renaissance lace design with page 59 (recto) from *Les Secondes Oeuvres, et Subtiles Inventions De Lingerie du Seigneur Federic de Vinciolo Venitien* (1603). Created by Venetian designer Federico de Vinciolo, with contributions from engraver Jean Le Clerc and noble patron Catherine de Bourbon, this woodcut print showcases delicate ornamental patterns for fine linen and lacework—known then as "lingerie." Measuring just 9 7/16 x 6 1/2 inches, it's a gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection, acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1939. Vinciolo's pattern books were revolutionary in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, bridging Venetian craftsmanship with French elegance. Published during a boom in luxury textiles, they democratized complex motifs for lacemakers, embroiderers, and fashion designers across Europe. Catherine de Bourbon, sister to King Henry IV of France, lent royal prestige, highlighting how nobility fueled artistic innovation in domestic arts. Rendered in precise woodcut—a relief printing technique ideal for reproducing fine lines and repeating motifs—this page exemplifies ornamental printmaking's role in preserving ephemeral designs. It invites us to appreciate the unseen labor behind opulent collars and cuffs that adorned Europe's elite, blending utility with artistry in a single, enduring sheet.

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