Willem Vosterman
Willem Vosterman was an early 16th-century figure active in the production of printed volumes, with his verifiable career centered around the year 1527. His output specialized in texts, often featuring illustrated components relevant to the applied arts and design trades of the period.
The archival records document fifteen books attributed to Vosterman. The most recognized work in modern collections is the instructional treatise, Ce est ung tractat de la noble art de leguille ascavoir ouvraiges de spaigne... (A treatise on the noble art of the needle, namely Spanish works). This volume, dedicated to textile arts and needlework patterns, provides crucial insight into early European decorative arts and the dissemination of design motifs through print technology. Specific pages from this volume, including detailed documentation of pages 10 and 11, are separately tracked in major institutional holdings.
The significance of Vosterman’s contribution to early printing and design is evidenced by the preservation of his work in prominent American collections, notably the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These early Willem Vosterman prints and printed texts are today valued as museum-quality artifacts providing historical context for 16th-century publishing methods. Due to their age, these materials are often in the public domain, making them available for scholarly research and enabling access to downloadable artwork for non-commercial study.
