Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Francais 1780, H. 43: Bourgeoise se promenant (...). 1778 - 1782

This print, made by Nicolas Dupin around 1780, captures a bourgeois woman and her daughter in fashionable attire. The elaborate hairstyles and the luxurious fabrics speak of status and adherence to the period’s aesthetic ideals. Consider the fan held by the woman: a seemingly simple object, yet it is laden with meaning. Throughout history, fans have appeared in various guises, from the ceremonial objects of ancient Egypt to the delicate accessories of the European courts. They recur as symbols of power, elegance, and even secret communication. Note how the fan has transformed from a religious symbol to a tool of coquetry, and how it resurfaces as a marker of identity and social standing. These objects are more than mere decoration; they are vessels of collective memory and subconscious desires, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols and their enduring power.