Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 4 (recto)
Medium
Woodcut
Dimensions
Overall: 5 1/2 x 7 7/8 in. (14 x 20 cm)
Classification
Books|Prints|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1953
Accession Number
53.547.2(5)
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late Renaissance era, *Fiori di Ricamiovamente Posti in* (Flowers of Embroider Newly Brought to Light), 4 (recto captures the blooming fascination with intricate ornamental designs. Published in 1591 by Matteo Florimi and Francesco de Franceschi—prominent Sienese printers—this woodcut from a pattern book showcases delicate floral motifs ideal for embroidery, lace, and textiles. Measuring a compact 5½ × 7⅞ inches (14 × 20 cm), it invited artisans across Europe to replicate nature-inspired elegance in their crafts. Woodcuts like this were revolutionary for their accessibility: carved in relief on wooden blocks, they allowed for numerous impressions, democratizing high-fashion patterns during a time when opulent embroidery adorned nobility's wardrobes and interiors. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this print reflects Mannerist tastes for elaborate, intertwined flora, bridging art and everyday decoration. Today, it whispers of 16th-century innovation, where books like this fueled the decorative arts revolution, influencing everything from altar cloths to architectural embellishments. A true gem for lovers of Renaissance ornament!
About the Artist
Matteo Florimi|Francesco de' Franceschi (Italian|Italian) · 1581 |1572 –1613 |1622
Italian, active Siena, ca. 1581–died 1613|Italian, Borgo San Sepolcro (Sansepolcro) 1572–1622 Borgo San Sepolcro (Sansepolcro)