Éventailliste, Monture des Eventails. 1751 - 1772

This 18th-century print by A.J. Defehrt offers us a glimpse into the world of fan making, revealing not just a craft but a carefully constructed performance of femininity. In this era, fans were more than mere accessories; they were tools of communication and status, particularly for women in courtly society. These women are not simply crafting objects, they are constructing a language of gestures, glances, and unspoken desires. The labor of these workers supports the performance of femininity within the upper classes. We are reminded that the exquisite fan in the hand of a noble woman is the product of labor, class, and gender. Defehrt's print invites us to reflect on how objects shape identities and how these identities are embedded in broader societal structures. The image leaves me wondering, whose stories are woven into these fans?