Patterns in Art

Richly embroidered robes. Intricate lace collars. Elaborately laid floor tiles. Delicately carved and modeled cornices and capitals. These are among the details of decorative art that the Old Masters lovingly rendered in their paintings, to establish a setting, convey a portrait subject's social status, or sometimes just enliven a scene. Together these details—so easy to overlook in the imposing harmony of draftsmanship, color, and composition that makes up a great painting—form a veritable