Waaier met daarop voorstellingen uit het gedicht La Gerusalemme Liberata door Torquato Tasso, opgesteld tijdens de Exposition Rétrospective van 1873 in Tours, Frankrijk 1873

Gabriel Blaise created this fan with scenes from Torquato Tasso's poem, "La Gerusalemme Liberata," which was displayed at the 1873 Retrospective Exhibition in Tours, France. Blaise, working in a period of significant social and political change in France, positions his work within a historical context marked by the rise of nationalism and colonialism, themes subtly echoed in Tasso's epic poem about the Crusades. This artwork, seemingly a decorative object, becomes a carrier of cultural narratives, reflecting both the romanticism of the era and its complex relationship with history and identity. The fan itself is not merely a functional item but also a symbol of femininity and social status. In choosing this medium, Blaise engages with gendered notions of art and craft, subtly challenging the hierarchy between fine arts and decorative arts. The scenes from "La Gerusalemme Liberata"—a story of conflict between Christians and Muslims—invite contemplation on cultural interactions and power dynamics, prompting us to consider the fan as an artifact that reflects both personal adornment and broader societal narratives.