Artwork
Eventail plié
Eventail plié is an unspecified work on paper by Guichard, L.. 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 plié is a painted folding fan attributed to L. Guichard, dating from around 1850. The object is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Its structure consists of a dark‑stained wooden handle supporting a paper or silk surface that opens into a series of delicate watercolor panels.
Subject & Meaning
The fan’s interior is divided into three small vignettes, each depicting figures in light dresses situated in garden settings. The characters are shown holding fans of their own, creating a visual echo of the object’s function. The pastoral backdrop, populated with flowers and trees, suggests an idealized leisure scene typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century genteel recreation.
Technique & Style
Guichard employed watercolor washes in soft pastel tones, allowing colors to blend smoothly across the surface. The application is light and translucent, characteristic of the medium’s capacity for layered hues. Gold trim outlines the fan’s perimeter, while tiny circular motifs resembling mirrors or lockets add ornamental detail, enhancing the overall delicacy of the piece.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1850, the fan entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it is displayed as an example of personal accessories from the period. Its attribution to L. Guichard is based on stylistic analysis and comparative documentation of similar works from the mid‑19th century.
Context
Folding fans were fashionable accessories in Europe during the 1800s, serving both practical and decorative purposes. The pastel palette and garden motifs align with contemporary aesthetic trends that favored romanticized nature and refined domestic scenes. The inclusion of gold edging reflects the period’s taste for modest luxury in everyday objects.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist worked in watercolor, focusing on delicate, portable scenes. In our gallery you’ll find their folded fan titled *Eventail plié*, painted in soft layers that let the paper show through. Watercolor was the…
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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