Artwork
Eventail plié
Eventail plié is an unspecified work on paper by the Impressionist artist E. Balacian. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Eventail plié, crafted in 1880 by the artist E. Balacian, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The object is a folding hand‑fan whose painted surface depicts a tranquil garden scene. Its delicate construction and decorative elements illustrate the dual function of such fans as both utilitarian objects and portable artworks.
Subject & Meaning
The fan’s watercolor illustration presents three figures within a garden setting: a seated woman on a chair, a standing companion, and a child at play on the ground. Behind them, a treed landscape, a low fence, and a columned building frame the scene, suggesting a leisurely domestic environment typical of late‑19th‑century genre depictions.
Technique & Style
Balacian employed a light, semi‑transparent watercolor wash that gives the figures a softly blurred appearance, reminiscent of a rapid sketch. The fan’s blades are further embellished with cut‑out glass fragments that refract light, while the handle is finished with a thin‑yarn tassel, combining painting with ornamental craft.
History & Provenance
Created in 1880, the fan entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. Objects of this type were commonly used by artists as portable canvases for practice or exhibition, reflecting a broader tradition of integrating fine art into everyday accessories.
Artist & collection
Artist
A Parisian watercolorist in the late 1800s, E. Balacian filled delicate sheets with scenes from daily life. In "Eventail plié" (1880), she painted a folded fan resting on a lace-edged table, its ribs catching the faint…
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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