Fan Design [recto] c. 1906

Lovis Corinth sketched this fan design in Berlin in 1906, likely with graphite on paper. Corinth was a leading figure in German Expressionism, and this piece gives a glimpse into the decorative arts of the period. At the center, note the erotic symbolism: a nude woman reclines, surrounded by cherubs, above what appears to be a satyr or horned god of fertility. While seemingly traditional, these classical allusions were radical at the time. In a society grappling with evolving views on sexuality, the fan becomes a bold statement. Its intimate scale implicates the owner and her personal space, and invites viewers to question the conventional roles assigned to women. On either side, Corinth contrasts the implied power of the woman with delicate images of butterflies and flowers, highlighting the complex interplay between nature and culture. The piece challenges us to reconsider the narratives we construct around gender, desire, and identity.