Valentine - Mechanical - elaborate fan 1875

Editor: Here we have "Valentine - Mechanical - elaborate fan," made in 1875 by an anonymous artist. It is composed of drawing and print on paper. The object is very ornamental, with a somewhat overwhelming decorative feeling, almost excessively ornate, and yet there is something interesting about its geometric shapes combined with the floral design. What are your initial thoughts on this piece? Curator: Thank you. I find it most stimulating. Consider the almost mathematically precise division of the surface. Each petal, or monthly calendar, presents an autonomous unit, framed within a repeating motif of flowers and ribbons. The geometric exactitude with which the dates are rendered juxtaposes quite interestingly with the Romantic effusions of the floral borders. Note, too, the tension established by the stark contrast of the highly ornamented handle and the calendrical “blades”. What does that contrast suggest to you? Editor: It feels as if there are two competing design principles in one object. The top is more whimsical and soft, whereas the handle seems grounded and structured. So you're suggesting this is an intentional dichotomy at play? Curator: Precisely. Ask yourself about the symbolic function of this object. A fan traditionally served to conceal as much as it revealed. Here, the layering of decorative elements—the calendars themselves partially obscured by floral designs—functions similarly. It creates a visual puzzle that invites closer inspection. Editor: I never considered how the overlapping and layering could create a visual riddle, as if the calendar dates are hidden within the ornamentation. Curator: Exactly! Now, does understanding the artist’s visual layering techniques alter your impression of the artwork's excessive ornamentation? Editor: Yes, it allows me to consider this artwork more deeply, thank you. The complexity unveils intentional construction.