Page from Ein new kunstlich Modelbuch...(Page 19v)

Art Historical Context

Step into the Renaissance world of design with this enchanting woodcut page (19v) from Peterentel's *Ein new kunstlich Model* (A New Artistic Model Book), printed in in 1544. Quentel, a prolific German printer and publisher, created these affordable books to serve as treasure troves of motifs for artists, goldsmiths, and architects. Measuring a compact 7 11/16 x 5 7/8 inches, this page exemplifies the era's fascination with intricate ornamentation, blending utility with artistic flair. Featuring delicate patterns of birds and deer—symbols of nature's grace and the hunt—this woodcut offered ready-to-use templates for everything from embroidered textiles to carved architectural friezes. Woodcut technique, carved in relief on wooden blocks, allowed for crisp, repeatable impressions, making high-quality designs accessible beyond elite workshops. It's a snapshot of Northern Renaissance innovation, where German printers like Quentel democratized decorative arts. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via Rogers Fund, 1922), this page highlights how model books fueled Europe's ornamental revolution, influencing styles from Mannerism to beyond. A delightful reminder of craftsmanship's enduring legacy!

About the Artist

Peter Quentel · 1500–1550

Peter Quentel (ca. 1500–1546) was a prominent German printer and publisher based in Cologne, active from 1518 until his death on March 1, 1546. The son of the esteemed printer Heinrich Quentel (d. 1501), Peter began issuing books under his own name around 1518 and fully assumed control of the family press by 1520, eventually serving multiple terms as a Cologne city councilman. His early life is no...