Point de Venise refers to the lace made in Venice. Point de Venise is a Venetian needle lace from the 17th century characterized by scrolling floral patterns with additional floral motifs worked in relief (in contrast with the geometric designs of the earlier reticella). Gorgeous colors & details. So Fonthill’s print is a piece of Art History as well Economics told on cotton and linen blended union cloth! Venice, the crossroad of trading of various countries and even civilizations, is depicted in the colored stripes of flowers and birds, while Point de Venise, the lace that became a major commodity in this center of trade and art, is brilliantly printed in bright white (a rarely used color in prints).
The designer’s adoration of the art of lace is evident yet subtle. An innocent child, a mathematical engineer and a sophisticated art historian can equally enjoy this print in its own way, for its bright colored birds and flowers, for its precision and perfect proportion and for its rich stories. 20 screens were used—-just like those Venetian lace, no cost was spared.
The white lace appears iridescent. A fresh take on historical design.