Aurora and the Hours with the Chariot of the Sun
Fan
ca. 1780 (made), ca. 1740 (made)
ca. 1780 (made), ca. 1740 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Classical mythology inspired many 18th-century fans. This one carries the image of ‘Aurora and the Hours with the Chariot of the Sun’. It is based on a fresco by Guido Reni from the Casino Rospigliosi in Rome, painted in 1614. The artist has faithfully translated the large scale of Reni's painting and delicately reproduced it on the fan leaf. The result demonstrates the Italian genius for fine fan painting using the pointillist (dots of colour) technique. You can see the dramatic sculptural form, exaggerated movement and gesture associated with Baroque painting even in this reduced scale.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Aurora and the Hours with the Chariot of the Sun (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour on vellum, with carved ivory sticks and guards |
| Brief description | Fan with carved ivory sticks and painted vellum leaf, depicting Aurora, Italian, leaf ca. 1780, sticks c.1740 |
| Physical description | goat vellum leaf painted in watercolour, carved and pierced ivory sticks and guards, inset with tortoiseshell or horn around the rivet. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | The fan was said on its acquisition to have been given by Pope Clement XIV to Sir Robert Hughes (Clement reigned as Pope from 19 May 1769 to his death in 1774). It was purchased by the Museum from Mr J H Hughes of London in 1870. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Classical mythology inspired many 18th-century fans. This one carries the image of ‘Aurora and the Hours with the Chariot of the Sun’. It is based on a fresco by Guido Reni from the Casino Rospigliosi in Rome, painted in 1614. The artist has faithfully translated the large scale of Reni's painting and delicately reproduced it on the fan leaf. The result demonstrates the Italian genius for fine fan painting using the pointillist (dots of colour) technique. You can see the dramatic sculptural form, exaggerated movement and gesture associated with Baroque painting even in this reduced scale. |
| Bibliographic reference | Hart, A. & Taylor, E. Fans. London: V&A Publications, 1998, plate 8 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 65-1870 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 11, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
