Artwork
Eventail brisé
Eventail brisé is an unspecified work on paper by Albert Mullot. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Albert Mullot’s fan, titled *Eventail brisé*, dates to around 1825 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Though its name suggests damage, the object displays careful craftsmanship and decorative detail characteristic of early‑nineteenth‑century portable art.
Subject & Meaning
The fan’s surface is adorned with a series of tiny dots that combine to form geometric patterns, while three circular motifs depict stylised flowers or leaves rendered in vivid watercolor. These decorative elements reflect a decorative aesthetic that blends natural motifs with abstract design, a common theme in portable accessories of the period.
Technique & Style
Constructed from a light‑weight wood, the fan’s ribs are finished with a scalloped edge. The handle is carved and bound with a narrow ribbon, adding both grip and visual interest. Watercolor pigments, applied in thin, translucent layers, give the floral motifs their bright hues, demonstrating the medium’s capacity for luminous colour.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1825, the fan entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it now serves as an example of early nineteenth‑century decorative objects. Its provenance traces back to Mullot, an artist whose work encompassed functional art objects.
Context
Fans of this type were popular personal accessories in the early 1800s, serving both practical and ornamental purposes. The combination of carved wood, ribbon binding, and watercolor decoration situates the piece within a broader tradition of portable luxury items that blended utility with artistic expression.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albert Mullot never left Paris, but his watercolors roam far. He’d fold a sheet in quarters, paint a sunset, then split the page into a fan you can snap shut—each sliver a tiny, perfect disaster. The brook in *Eventail…
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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