Fiori di Ricami Nuovamente Posti in Luce, page 6 (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(7)
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late Renaissance era, Venetian publishers Matteo Florimi and Francesco de' Frances collaborated on *Fiori di Ricamiovamente Posti in* ("Flowers of Emideries Newly Brought to"), a 1591 book that illuminated intricate designs for artisans. Page 6 (recto a delicate woodcut measuring 5½ x 7⅞ inches, exemplifies the era's fascination with ornamental motifs, likely featuring stylized floral embroidery patterns meant to inspire needleworkers, lacemakers, and decorators across Europe. Woodcuts like this one were revolutionary for their accessibility: carved in relief on wooden blocks, they enabled affordable reproduction in books, democratizing sophisticated designs during a time when ornamental prints fueled the decorative arts boom. Produced in Venice—a hub of printing innovation—this sheet reflects the period's blend of artistry and craft, bridging fine art with everyday textiles and architecture. Held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this page offers a window into 16th-century creativity, where floral motifs symbolized abundance and elegance, influencing fashion, furnishings, and beyond for generations of makers.
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)