Artwork
Eventail brisé
Eventail brisé is an unspecified work on paper by A. Rodien. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Eventail brisé, attributed to A. Rodien and dated to around 1850, is a portable watercolor fan preserved in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The object consists of a wooden handle supporting a series of painted panels that function as the fan’s blades.
Subject & Meaning
The painted scene depicts three figures in a garden setting. A man in a dark coat and hat occupies the central position, flanked by two women in light dresses. Behind them, trees and flowering shrubs create a tranquil backdrop, suggesting a leisurely outdoor encounter.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the image relies on thin, translucent washes that convey a soft atmospheric quality. The brushwork is delicate, with faint strokes that suggest foliage and fabric without heavy detailing. The fan’s wooden handle and slightly worn blades indicate typical 19th‑century construction and use.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1850, the fan entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its attribution to A. Rodien, a lesser‑known artist of the period, is based on stylistic comparison with contemporary works and museum records.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist painted delicate watercolors on fan leaves and biblical scenes. Look at their folding fans: Eventail brisé and Eventail plié show soft washes of color and fine linework. They also illustrated L'Histoire de…
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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