Vouwwaaier met een voorstelling van een nimf en twee putti in een rand van irissen c. 1890

This is a folding fan depicting a nymph and two putti among irises, its creator is currently unknown. The fan’s delicate composition and intricate details immediately capture the eye. The fan is structured around a central image of a nymph with putti surrounded by a decorative border of irises. The artist uses a subtle color palette, with soft pastels, that lends the piece an ethereal quality. The irises are not just decorative; they create a semiotic frame that both contains and elevates the central scene. The folding structure of the fan adds another layer to its interpretation. When opened, the fan reveals its full design, presenting a complete picture. When closed, the image is fragmented, suggesting themes of concealment and revelation. The artist has created a work that functions both aesthetically and conceptually. It’s a meditation on beauty, nature, and the art of seeing, inviting us to consider the interplay between form and meaning.