De gebroken waaier 1769 - 1793

This print, made by Charles Melchior Descourtis, presents a scene dominated by the broken fan, its delicate fragments held aloft. It symbolizes a rupture, a disruption in the delicate dance of courtship and societal expectations, as it was a common courting prop at the time. Observe how the broken fan echoes the tale of Cupid and Psyche, where curiosity leads to the shattering of innocence and trust. This motif transcends time, appearing in Renaissance paintings as a cracked mirror, reflecting lost virtue, or in Victorian novels as a torn letter, signifying broken promises. The fan, once a symbol of controlled allure, now reveals a deeper psychological tension, the undercurrents of desire and the precariousness of social facades. This image becomes a powerful force, engaging us on a subconscious level, reminding us of the fragility inherent in human interactions and the enduring power of symbols to convey complex emotional states. A cyclical progression, indeed.