Artwork
Eventail brisé
Eventail brisé is an unspecified work on paper by the Post-Impressionist artist Emile Buissot. It dates from 1900 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, created in 1900 by Emile Buissot, is a painted fan preserved at the Museum of Ethnography. Its delicate watercolor technique and intimate scene reflect the decorative arts tradition of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The work combines functional object with pictorial art, typical of the period’s interest in blurring boundaries between fine and applied arts.
Subject & Meaning
Two women are depicted in a tranquil garden beside a lake, one holding a small dog on a leash, the other leaning in with a gentle smile. Their interaction suggests quiet companionship, while the serene landscape evokes a sense of leisure and private reflection. The scene avoids narrative drama, instead emphasizing mood and personal connection through subtle gestures and soft surroundings.
Technique & Style
Buissot employed thin, translucent watercolor washes to achieve a luminous effect, particularly in the sky and fabric tones. The edges feature ornamental floral motifs framed by dark borders, grounding the scene in decorative convention. The paint’s fragility and layered transparency reveal a technique focused on lightness and atmospheric suggestion rather than bold definition.
History & Provenance
The fan entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography shortly after its creation, likely acquired as an example of contemporary European decorative arts. Its preservation as a single object, rather than as part of a larger set, suggests it was valued for its artistic merit rather than its utility. No record of prior ownership or exhibition prior to museum acquisition is documented.
Context
It reflects broader trends in Art Nouveau and Symbolist aesthetics, where everyday moments were elevated through refined technique and emotional subtlety.
Created at the turn of the century, Eventail brisé aligns with the fin-de-siècle fascination with intimate, domestic scenes and naturalistic detail. It reflects broader trends in Art Nouveau and Symbolist aesthetics, where everyday moments were elevated through refined technique and emotional subtlety. Fans like this were often made for private use, blending personal expression with artisanal craftsmanship.
Legacy
Though not widely reproduced or studied, the fan remains a quiet example of how small-scale objects carried artistic ambition in the early 20th century. Its survival in a museum setting underscores a shift in cultural value, where utilitarian items were later recognized for their aesthetic and historical significance beyond their original function.
Artist & collection
Artist
Emile Buissot painted delicate watercolors around 1900, using soft brushes and bright colors to capture everyday life.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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