Fan
1770-80s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Scenes commemorating the marriage banquet were popular subjects for 18th-century fans. In this example, the fan painter has combined it with the taste for classicism and portrays the Altar of Hymen (god of marriage). As the bride and groom approach, clouds billow around the altar, a rainbow springs from the earth, and angels hold aloft portraits of the couple. The still-life vignettes on either side attest to the life of opulence and wealth that awaits them. On the reverse of the fan is the banquet scene, with magnificent silver, glass and liberal quantities of wine, all set in a pastoral landscape.
The fan may commemorate the wedding of the dauphin with Marie-Antoinette in 1770.
The fan may commemorate the wedding of the dauphin with Marie-Antoinette in 1770.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gouache on vellum with hawksbill turtle shell sticks and guards, a mother-of-pearl mount and applied silver-gilt and pink foil |
| Brief description | 1770-80s, French; Painted paper, watercolour, hawksbill turtle shell, mother of pearl. Wedding allegory |
| Physical description | Fan |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Admiral Sir Robert and Lady Prendergast |
| Object history | RF number: 56/1480. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Scenes commemorating the marriage banquet were popular subjects for 18th-century fans. In this example, the fan painter has combined it with the taste for classicism and portrays the Altar of Hymen (god of marriage). As the bride and groom approach, clouds billow around the altar, a rainbow springs from the earth, and angels hold aloft portraits of the couple. The still-life vignettes on either side attest to the life of opulence and wealth that awaits them. On the reverse of the fan is the banquet scene, with magnificent silver, glass and liberal quantities of wine, all set in a pastoral landscape. The fan may commemorate the wedding of the dauphin with Marie-Antoinette in 1770. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.98-1956 |
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| Record created | December 12, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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