New Modelbüch allen Nägerin u. Sydenstickern (Page 27r)

Art Historical Context

This woodcut page comes from the 1556 pattern book *New Modelbüch allen Nägerin u. Sydenstickern*, a practical guide for seamstresses and silk embroiderers. Created by Hans Hoffman and printed by Jacob Frölich, the volume offered reusable designs that could be transferred onto fabric. Page 27r features delicate bird motifs alongside heraldic insignia, reflecting the Renaissance taste for natural forms combined with symbolic emblems. Woodcuts like this one played a vital role in spreading ornamental patterns across Europe before photography or digital reproduction. Their bold lines and clear contrasts made them ideal for craftworkers to trace or adapt, democratizing access to fashionable designs previously available only through costly manuscripts. The book’s classification among ornament and architecture prints underscores its dual purpose as both functional tool and artistic resource. Today, this leaf from the Metropolitan Museum’s collection invites visitors to appreciate how everyday craft traditions intersected with printmaking innovation in the mid-sixteenth century.

About the Artist

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

German, active Strasbourg, 1556|