New Modelbüch allen Nägerin u. Sydenstickern (Page 15r)

Art Historical Context

This 1556 woodcut comes from *New Modelbüch allen Nägerin u. Sydenstickern*, a practical pattern book designed for embroiderers and silk workers. Printed on page 15r, the page features delicate floral motifs that served as templates for needlework and decorative stitching. Created through the woodcut technique, which allowed designs to be carved into wood blocks and reproduced in multiple copies, the work reflects the growing demand for accessible pattern sources during the Renaissance. In the mid-sixteenth century, such model books played an important role in spreading ornamental ideas across Europe, enabling both professional artisans and skilled amateurs to incorporate current floral styles into clothing, household linens, and accessories. The medium’s crisp lines and repeatable nature made it ideal for this purpose, turning a single carved block into a widely shared resource. Housed today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of drawings and prints, this page offers a glimpse into the intersection of art, craft, and everyday life in the 1500s. Its focus on flowers highlights the enduring popularity of natural motifs in decorative arts of the period.

About the Artist

Hans Hoffman|Jacob Frölich (German|German) · 1556 | –1556 |

German, active Strasbourg, 1556|