Fan Design with Republican Assignats (French Revolutionary Money) 1790 - 1800

This anonymous design for a fan, created between 1790-1800, showcases a unique blend of decorative elements and political commentary. The fan's surface is entirely covered with French Revolutionary Assignats, the paper money issued during the French Revolution, creating a visual commentary on the turbulent times. The arrangement of the Assignats within the fan's shape evokes the traditional decorative motifs of fan designs. This artwork is a fascinating example of how artistic expression could be used to reflect the social and political upheavals of the era, and is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.