Schön newes Modelbuch (Page 56r)

Art Historical Context

Step into the intricate world of Renaissance ornamentation with *Schön newes Modelbuch (Page r)*, a woodcut print by Sigismundus Lat from 1608. This delicate page, measuring just 4½ x 6⅝ inches, hails from a German pattern book—a "beautiful new model book" designed to inspire artisans across Europe. Latomus, a skilled draftsman and engraver, captured scrolling motifs and architectural flourishes that would guide craftsmen in creating lace, embroidery, metalwork, and furniture. Modelbücher like this one were essential tools in the workshops of the early 17th century, bridging art and craft during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Woodcuts, carved in relief on wooden blocks, allowed for affordable, reproducible designs that spread ornamental styles far and wide. This medium's bold lines and textures made it ideal for pattern books, ensuring durability through multiple printings. Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1924), this page exemplifies the cultural hunger for elegant decoration in an age of expanding trade and design innovation. Imagine 17th-century embroiderers tracing these motifs by candlelight—timeless patterns that echo the harmony of nature and human ingenuity.

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...