Embroidery Pattern with an Oblong Panel in its Center

Embroidery Pattern with an Oblong Panel in its Center by Albrecht Dürer is an exemplary German Renaissance design executed as a woodcut print sometime between 1500 and 1521. This work highlights Dürer's crucial, though often overlooked, contribution to the graphic arts beyond his major figurative or religious compositions. As a master engraver and printmaker, Dürer recognized the commercial and cultural power of reproducible media, utilizing the woodcut technique to circulate decorative motifs widely.

The print serves a primarily functional purpose, designed to be used by contemporary artisans, likely lace makers or embroiderers, as a guide for decorative needlework patterns. The central focus is an oblong frame, tightly packed with swirling acanthus leaves and dense foliate decoration, typical of high Renaissance ornament. Dürer’s precise and confident line work translates the intricate detail required for textile design, showcasing the versatility necessary for a master graphic artist operating during the flourishing print culture of the era.

During the early sixteenth century, the proliferation of design prints allowed artists like Dürer to disseminate ornamental ideas rapidly across Europe. Such pattern sheets were foundational resources for the decorative arts trades, bridging the gap between fine art and craftsmanship. Although primarily known for masterpieces of narrative and allegory, Dürer produced a significant body of these applied design works. This foundational print resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and, dating from the early 1500s, is recognized as being in the public domain, ensuring its continued availability for study and appreciation by scholars and designers alike.