Schön newes Modelbuch (Page 54r)

Art Historical Context

Welcome to page 54r from *Schön newesbuch* ("Beautiful New Model Book"), 1608 woodcut by Sigismundus Latomus, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department. This intimate page, measuring just 4½ x 6⅝ inches, captures the essence of early 17th-century pattern—essential guides for artisans crafting textiles, metalwork, and architecture. Latomus, a German designer, filled his model books with intricate motifs to inspire goldsmiths, embroiderers, and engravers across Europe. Rendered in crisp woodcut technique, the page showcases dynamic vignettes of birds, men, and de...

About the Artist

Sigismundus Latomus · 1599–1632

Sigismundus Latomus, born in Schleusingen, Germany, around 1599, emerged as a prominent publisher and printer in Frankfurt am Main during the early seventeenth century. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as historical records focus primarily on his professional output rather than personal background. Active from 1599 until his death around 1627, Latomus specialized in the pro...