Studio delle virtuose Dame, page 15 (recto)

Art Historical Context

**Studio delle virtuose Dame, page 15 (recto)**, a delicate woodcut from 1597, comes from a pattern book created by the pioneering Italian printmaker Isabella Catanea Parasole in collaboration with woodcutter Antonio Fachetti. Published in Rome during the late Renaissance, this work belongs to a popular genre of instructional manuals aimed at "virtuous ladies"—noblewomen learning embroidery, lace-making, and other domestic arts. Measuring just 5½ x 8 inches, its compact size made it ideal for personal use at home or in workshops. The page features intricate motifs of flowers, acorns, and leaves, rendered in the bold, linear style of woodcut printing. This relief technique, where designs are carved into wood blocks and inked for impression, allowed for affordable reproduction of ornamental patterns. These botanical elements reflect the era's fascination with nature's abundance, drawing from Renaissance naturalism while serving practical purposes in decorative needlework. Isabella Parasole's role as one of the few documented female artists of the 16th century underscores the book's cultural significance, empowering women in creative pursuits traditionally confined to the domestic sphere. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1918, this page offers a window into how art intersected with everyday Renaissance life.

About the Artist

Isabella Catanea Parasole|Antonio Fachetti (Italian|Italian) · 1565 | –1625 |

Italian, ca. 1565/70–ca. 1625|