Twee dames voeren een gesprek 1787

This is a print by Reinier Vinkeles, made in the late 18th century. The scene is set with figures gathered in what appears to be a domestic interior, immediately drawing attention to the fan held by one of the seated women. The fan, a seemingly simple accessory, is far more than it appears. Across cultures and centuries, the fan has served as a symbol of status, power, and even secrecy. Think back to ancient Egypt, where fans were wielded by royalty, or to the courts of Europe, where they were tools of flirtation and coded communication. This simple object contains an emotional and psychological weight, allowing for the expression of a whole range of feelings. It also speaks of a continuous thread that runs through human history, a shared language of symbols and gestures that transcends time. Like a recurring dream, these motifs resurface, constantly evolving, reminding us of the complex, cyclical nature of cultural memory.