Fan

Fan is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work is a hand‑painted fan composed of two distinct panels. The upper panel depicts a lively riverside scene populated by figures in vivid garments, a white‑clad woman holding a fan, a boat, and palm trees. The lower panel consists of white fan blades pierced with ornamental cut‑outs, overlaid with gold swirls, all set within a dark frame adorned with gilded motifs resembling a mirror.

Subject & Meaning

The painted scene captures a festive gathering beside water, emphasizing movement and social interaction. The central figure in white, distinguished by her own fan, may symbolize elegance or ritual, while the surrounding crowd and vessel suggest communal celebration or travel.

Technique & Style

The upper image employs bright pigments to render clothing and foliage, contrasting with the subdued background. The lower half utilizes negative space cut‑outs in the fan blades, combined with applied gold leaf to create shimmering patterns. The frame’s dark lacquer and gilded designs reflect traditional East Asian fan craftsmanship.

History & Provenance

The fan is part of a collection that includes similar objects held by major institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, indicating its relevance within the broader corpus of painted folding fans.

Context

Folding fans served both practical and decorative purposes in East Asian cultures, often featuring narrative scenes that conveyed status, leisure, or seasonal themes. The juxtaposition of a detailed landscape with abstracted decorative elements reflects the dual function of the object as both artwork and utilitarian device.