October 21, 2015

Fashion and Virtue: Textile Patterns and the Print Revolution, 1520–1620 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, October 20, 2015 – January 10, 2016

“Printed sources related to the design of textile patterns first appeared during the Renaissance when six intricate, interlaced “knotwork” designs, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and later copied by Albrecht Dürer, marked the beginning of a fruitful international exchange of pattern designs. Starting in the 1520s, small booklets with textile patterns were published regularly, and these pocket-size, easy-to-use publications became an instant success, essentially forming the first fashion publications. These books were not made for the library but for the active use of their 16th-century owners across all levels of society, who were interested and invested in textile decoration as a means of self-expression and transformation of their households and dress.” — The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1. Fashion and Virtue_Danieli_Plate with Lace Design from Vari disegni di merletti_MMA

Bartolomeo Danieli (Italian, active Bologna and Siena 1610-1643). Plate with Lace Design from: “Vari disegni di merletti,” Bologna [Agostino Parisini & Giovanni Battista Negroponte], 1639. Etching, Sheet: 11 5/8 x 15 ¾ in. (29.5 x 40 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1937

1984.1201.35

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg). After Leonardo da Vinci (Italian, Vinci 1452–1519 Amboise) (or workshop). “The Fifth Knot” Interlaced roundel, 1521. Woodcut, sheet: 10 3/4 x 8 3/16 in. (27.3 x 20.8 cm) image: 10 9/16 x 8 3/16 in. (26.9 x 20.8 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, George Khuner Collection, Bequest of Marianne Khuner, 1984

3. Fashion and Virtue_Hofer_Modelbuch new, aller Art, Nehens und Stickens_MMA

Modelbuch new, aller Art, Nehens und Stickens. Publisher: Hermann Gülfferich (1542–1554), Frankfurt am Main Binder: Riviere & Son(s) (London), 1553. Woodcut, Overall: 6 7/8 x 4 15/16 in. (17.5 x 12.5 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1923

48.40 (4)

Libro quarto. De rechami per elquale se impara in diuersi modi lordine e il modo de recamare…Opera noua, page 2 (verso). Publisher: Alessandro Paganino (Italian, active Salò, Toscolano and Venice, 1511–38), Ca. 1532. Woodcut, Overall: 8 3/8 x 5 7/8 x 3/16 in. (21.2 x 14.9 x 0.5 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1948

5. Fashion and Virtue_Pagano_Le pompe double paged spread wtih bobbin lace_MMA

Le Pompe: Opera Nova. Publisher: Giovanni Battista & Marchio Sessa, Venice, 1557. Woodcut, Overall: 8 1/16 x 5 7/8 in. (20.5 x 15 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1937

62.55 028

Robert Peake the Elder (British, ca 1551-1619 London). Princess Elizabeth (1596-1162), Later Queen of Bohemia, Ca. 1606. Oil on canvas, 60 ¾ x 31 ¼ in. (154.3 x 79.4 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Kate T. Davison, in memory of her husband, Henry Pomeroy Davison, 1951

7. Fashion and Virtue_Strigel_Portrait of a Woman_MMA

Bernhard Strigel (German, Memmingen 1460–1528 Memmingen). Portrait of a Woman, Ca. 1510–15. Oil on linden, 15 1/8 x 10 1/2 in. (38.4 x 26.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, 1871

8. Fashion and Virtue_Chasuble_MMA

Chasuble. 16th century, French. Canvas, silk and metal thread, L. 49 1/2 in. (125.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1916

9. Fashion and Virtue_Embroidered Ensemble with Lace Trimming--Russian_MMA

Ensemble. Early 20th century, Russian. Length (a): 20 in. (50.8 cm) Length (b): 32 in. (81.3 cm) Length (c): 28 in. (71.1 cm) Length (d): 131 in. (332.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Administration Fund, 1924

10. Fashion and Virtue_Giorgio di Sant'Angelo_Ensemble 1970_MMA

Ensemble. Giorgio di Sant’Angelo (American, born Italy, 1933–1989), 1970, American. Medium: (a) wool, cotton; (b,c) cotton; (d) cotton, wood, glass

Images courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art