Embroidery Pattern with Seven Six-pointed Stars and Four Corner Pieces

"Embroidery Pattern with Seven Six-pointed Stars and Four Corner Pieces" by Albrecht Dürer is a remarkable example of the German Renaissance master’s expansive output, extending beyond traditional painting and drawing into the realm of functional decorative art. Executed as a woodcut print sometime between 1500 and 1521, this sheet was designed not as a standalone work but as a practical template for textile ornamentation. The composition features a symmetrical arrangement of seven distinct six-pointed star motifs, accompanied by four unique designs clearly intended for corners or borders of fabric items.

During the early 16th century, Dürer utilized the accessible and reproducible woodcut technique to circulate his designs widely across Europe. Pattern sheets such as this one served a critical function for contemporary craftspeople, providing sophisticated, high-quality blueprints that could be easily transferred to various media, including clothing, household linens, and even architectural elements. Dürer’s meticulous approach to line and form ensures that the complex geometric ornament is rendered with precision, making it readily adaptable for embroidery or other physical applications.

This particular print highlights Dürer’s influence in shaping 16th-century design standards, confirming his role not only as a great artist but also as a highly influential designer of ornament. The work demonstrates how fine art prints became essential tools for disseminating stylistic trends across different crafts. This historically significant woodcut print is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serving as a key reference for studying the history of applied design and early printmaking practices, much of which is now made available through public domain collections.