Dame met waaier, naar rechts after 1629

This anonymous etching presents a woman holding a fan, turned towards a distant cityscape. The fan, a symbol of status and refinement, has roots stretching back to ancient civilizations, from the flabella used in religious ceremonies in ancient Egypt to its evolution as a fashion accessory in Europe. It's a motif that conceals and reveals. The act of fanning is both a gesture of flirtation and a shield against unwanted attention. This duality echoes in various forms throughout art history. In some Japanese prints, a fan held by a courtesan may hint at the fleeting nature of beauty and pleasure. Similarly, this woman's gesture transcends mere portraiture, engaging on a subconscious level; it speaks to the delicate dance between visibility and concealment, attraction and privacy, resonating through time and culture.