Il Monte. Opera Nova di Recami

Art Historical Context

**Il Monte. Opera Nova di Recami** is a delightful woodcut print from a 16th-century Italian pattern book, produced after 1557 by prominent Venetian printers Giovanni & Marchio Sessa and Giovanni Antonio Bindoni, with a later association to Chambolle-Duru. Measuring just 7 7/8 x 5 11/16 inches, this compact page belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1930. Tucked into the classification of Books, Prints, Ornament & Architecture, it exemplifies the era's fascination with intricate decorative motifs. Woodcuts like this were ideal for pattern books, as the relief printing technique allowed for crisp, repeatable impressions on paper, making designs accessible to artisans across Europe. "Opera Nova di Recami" translates to "New Work of Embroideries," suggesting this plate features ornamental patterns—possibly floral or architectural elements tagged simply as "Ornament"—intended for lace, textiles, and decorative arts. Venice, a printing powerhouse during the Renaissance, produced such volumes to standardize and spread elegant motifs, bridging fine art with everyday crafts. These books hold cultural significance as democratizers of design, empowering embroiderers, weavers, and architects to replicate sophisticated Renaissance styles. Gaze closely at the fine lines and symmetries; they capture the period's love for harmony and detail, influencing decorative traditions far beyond Italy. A true gem for lovers of historical ornament!

About the Artist

Chambolle-Duru|Giovanni & Marchio Sessa|Giovanni Antonio Bindoni (Italian|Italian|French) · 1500 |1500 |1861 –1650 |1600 |1915

|Italian, active 1557|French, active 1861–1915