
Exhibitions
Fans of the Eighteenth Century
March 31, 2018 – April 28, 2019
Fans have served as accessories of fashion and utility since antiquity but reached their peak production and use in eighteenth-century Europe. Made from and embellished by precious materials such as ivory, mother-of-pearl, and silver and gold leaf, eighteenth-century fans also featured designs that reflected the spirit of their times. Fans addressed current events as well as themes of broad interest, including biblical and mythological tales and romanticized domestic and pastoral vignettes. Fans of the Eighteenth Century explores this quintessential period of fan production through a selection of examples from the permanent collection.
This exhibition is presented as a complement to Casanova: The Seduction of Europe at the Legion of Honor (February 10–May 28, 2018).
Image: The Noble Wedding (detail), 1715–1725. Italy. Vellum, paper, mother-of-pearl, metal, and jewel; opaque watercolor and carved, incised, and gilded sticks and guards; rivet; 11 in. (27.9 cm) length, 18 5/8 in. (47.3 cm) width (open). Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mrs. Reginald Rives, 1978.10.5a
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Exhibition Preview
After Nicolas Lancret (French, 1690–1743), 'The Dancer Camargo', reproduction in the 18th-century style, ca. 1900 (after painting, ca. 1730). France. Silk, ivory, metal, and jewel; oil-painted and imitation-lacquered (Vernis Martin) sticks, guards, and leaf; grosgrain ribbon; rivet; 7 in. (17.8 cm) length, 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm) width (open). Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mrs. Jane Houston and Mr. and Mrs. John Dixon Lannom, 1998.125.1
'Diana and the Maidens', 1740–1750. Netherlands or Germany. Paper, ivory, mother-of-pearl, and metal; opaque watercolor and carved, incised, and gilded sticks and guards; rivet; 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm) length, 19 3/4 in. (50.2 cm) width (open). Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd F. Reighley, 1956.82a
"Shepherd and Shepherdess", 1730–1740. Italy. Paper, ivory, mother-of-pearl, metal, and jewel; opaque watercolor and carved, incised, gilded, and applied sticks and guards; rivet; 10 1/4 in. (26 cm) length, 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm) width (open). Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mrs. Beatrice Greenough, 1964.89
Mourning fan, 1760–1770. England. Paper, ivory, and metal; black ink and wash and carved and incised guards; rivet; 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm) length, 19 3/4 in. (50.2 cm) width (open). Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mrs. Reginald Rives, 1978.10.4
T. Ballister (English, active 18th century), publisher. Traveling fan, 1788. England, London. Paper, wood, bone or ivory, and metal; engraved with stippling; opaque watercolor (hand-coloring) and sticks and guards; rivet; 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm) length, 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm) width (open). Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mrs. S. Conning, 9206