Fan 1885 - 1899

Curator: The "Fan," a mixed-media piece, produced between 1885 and 1899, came to us from Tiffany & Co. It currently resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's primarily made of textile. Editor: My first impression is pure rococo extravagance, even excess! The combination of feathers, painted scenes, and glittering ornamentation is remarkably busy, though quite beautiful in its composition and delicate handwork. Curator: Absolutely, it reflects the decorative art movement, that valued the aesthetic quality of functional items. In the late 19th century, we saw a booming consumer culture where items such as this become indicators of status and taste. Owning a fan like this would speak to the individual's elevated place in society and a taste for fine craftsmanship. Editor: Fans, beyond their practical use, were encoded with social meaning. A lady could use its movements to signal a range of emotions and intentions—a language understood by the initiated. What is painted on this textile fan particularly holds a sort of dreamlike quality. Curator: Considering that cultural role of a fan during this time, one has to reflect upon not only those wielding these decorative pieces of art, but of the societal climate within that period in general. Were there movements and revolts within the region it originated from that could potentially have informed the messaging within that central scene? Editor: Well, while fans could signify rebellion against rigid Victorian norms by flirting and engaging in "fan language," they were mostly about maintaining decorum. Looking at the figures within the painting—a man and woman in what seem to be their best clothes within a pleasant landscape—could imply romantic desire. The image acts like an imagined scenario for those moments within the constraints of propriety and societal expectations. Curator: And propriety itself becomes a performance, facilitated in part by objects like this fan. The owner then takes part within this artifice and contributes to its meaning. Editor: Precisely. Examining artifacts like these grants glimpses into the aspirations and repressions that colored this time. Curator: I concur. It illustrates not just a specific style, but the social framework behind its appeal and cultural moment in history. Editor: The details elevate what it could simply become if divested of this type of significance and messaging.