New Modelbüch allen Nägerin u. Sydenstickern (Page 24v)

Art Historical Context

This 1556 woodcut page comes from *New Modelbüch allen Nägerin u. Sydenstickern*, a practical pattern book designed for needlewomen and silk embroiderers. Created by Hans Hoffman and printer Jacob Frölich, the volume offered affordable, reproducible designs that could be transferred onto fabric. As a woodcut, the medium allowed fine lines and intricate details to be carved into wood blocks and printed in multiple copies, making ornamental motifs widely accessible during the Renaissance. The page features lively ornamental compositions incorporating birds, owls, and unicorns—fantastical creatures popular in 16th-century decorative arts. These motifs reflect the era’s fascination with nature and mythology, blending real and imagined animals into elegant patterns suitable for embroidery. Such books played an important cultural role by bridging fine art and domestic craft, empowering women artisans with professional-level designs. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of prints and ornament books, this work highlights how printed media democratized artistic ideas across Europe. Its delicate yet bold imagery continues to reveal the inventive spirit of Renaissance decorative design.

About the Artist

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

German, active Strasbourg, 1556|