The Fan Museum announces major acquisition
The Fan Museum is pleased to announce the acquisition of an exceptional late-sixteenth century ‘flag fan’, a precious survival from a time when hand held fans were exotic ornaments as opposed to commonplace accessories.
The article was probably manufactured in Venice, Italy where flag fans (in Italian, ventarola) enjoyed popular status throughout the sixteenth century. Demonstrating fine craftsmanship, both sides of the fan’s rectangular screen are richly painted with mythological subjects – one side with Cupid trapping birds, the other with a satyr (half-bestial spirit) unveiling the Goddess Venus; the subject, a seductive allegory of earthly love, was reproduced widely by artists throughout the sixteenth century, most famously by Correggio (1489-1534), whose erotic masterpiece resides in the Musée de Louvre, Paris.
The fan is on public display from 01 February 2020, forming part of The Fan Museum’s newly installed ground floor galleries.
For further information, please contact: Jacob Moss, Curator j.moss@thefanmuseum.org.uk
Images: Rhian Cox
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Upcoming Events
The Fan Museum at 30: Seduced! Fans & the Art of Advertising
Wednesday 07 July 2021
19.00–20.00 hrs BST, Wednesday 07 July 2021
The Fan Museum at 30: Seduced! Fans & the Art of Advertising
Join The Fan Museum’s curator, Jacob Moss as he reflects on the 2014 exhibition, Seduced! Fans & the Art of Advertising. Jacob will discuss some of the exhibition’s key themes and illustrate a selection of early advertising fans dating from the late-19th century through to the interwar period.
The talk is offered free-of-charge and will take place on the Zoom conferencing platform.
Advance booking is essential. To book, please email info@thefanmuseum.org.uk stating your full name.
The Fan Museum at 30: Chinoiserie Fans
Wednesday 04 August 2021
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