Artwork
Woman Holding a Fan
Woman Holding a Fan is a print by the Baroque artist Benoit II Audran. It dates from 1704 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Woman Holding a Fan is a print executed by the French engraver Benoît II Audran around 1704. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of early‑18th‑century French printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a solitary woman seated in profile, her body turned slightly away from the viewer. She holds a handheld fan in one hand, a common accessory that signals leisure and refinement in the period. The relaxed pose and the emphasis on her flowing garments suggest an intimate, everyday moment rather than a mythological or allegorical scene.
Technique & Style
Audran employs a series of confident, scratchy lines that delineate the folds and layers of the woman's dress, creating a sense of volume and movement. The rapid, gestural strokes convey the lightness of the fabric and the subtle shift of the skirt, reflecting the energetic drawing style favored by many Baroque printmakers.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1704, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, though the exact path of ownership before its museum purchase is not extensively documented. Its presence in the museum underscores the institution’s interest in representing French print culture of the early modern era.
Context
The work belongs to the broader Baroque period, during which French artists often emphasized dramatic line work and dynamic composition in prints. Audran, part of a prominent family of engravers, contributed to the dissemination of fashionable subjects such as elegantly dressed women, aligning with contemporary tastes for courtly elegance and visual vitality.
Artist & collection
