Prima parte de' fiori, page 2 (verso)
Medium
Woodcut
Dimensions
Overall: 6 11/16 x 9 1/16 in. (17 x 23 cm)
Classification
Books|Prints|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mary M. Greenwood, in memory of Eliza Rudd Greenwood, 1953
Accession Number
53.566.2b(2)
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints department, where find *Prima parte de' fiori page 2 (verso)*, a delicate woodcut from 159 crafted by Giovanni Battista Ciotti Nicolo Moretti, Francesco de' Franceschi This intimate page, measuring just 6 11/16 x 9 1/16 inches, is part of an early printed pattern book showcasing floral motifs—likely intricate designs of flowers intended for artists, architects, and craftsmen. In the late Renaissance, such books were revolutionary, democratizing access to ornamental patterns across Europe. Woodcuts like this one, carved in relief on wood blocks, allowed for affordable, high-volume printing, making elegant *grotesques* and floral embellishments available to decorators, goldsmiths, and builders. Produced in Italy during a boom in Mannerist ornamentation, it reflects the era's fascination with nature-inspired fantasies, bridging art and design. This gift from Mary M. Greenwood in memory of Eliza Rudd Greenwood (1953) highlights the woodcut's enduring legacy: a practical tool that influenced everything from book illustrations to architectural friezes, inviting us to trace Renaissance beauty in everyday craft.
About the Artist
Giovanni Battista Ciotti|Nicolo Moretti|Francesco de' Franceschi (Italian|Italian) · 1555 |1500 –1659 |1600
Italian, born Siena, ca. 1560|Italian, active 16th century