La Infanta Maria Teresa 

Juan Carreno de Miranda captured the Infanta Maria Teresa in paint, a vision of regal presence adorned with symbols ripe for interpretation. Consider the fan she delicately holds – a seemingly simple object, yet it whispers tales of status and subtle communication. Across time and cultures, from ancient Egypt to Imperial China, fans have signified power and privilege. Think of the flabella in religious ceremonies, and the feathered fans wielded by African royalty. In Miranda’s portrait, this fan echoes a dance of concealment and revelation, an emotional choreography. Is it a tool to ward off unwanted attention, or a prop to draw the eye? Perhaps it mirrors the societal pressures on young Maria Teresa. This simple object carries a weight of cultural meaning that has been transformed and recontextualized throughout history. Its subtle language resonates even now, speaking of status, emotion, and the enduring power of symbols.