Vouwwaaier met een pastorale scène, geflankeerd door ovale medaillons en muziekinstrumenten aan striklinten c. 1780

This folding fan, likely created in 18th-century Europe, presents a pastoral scene, flanked by decorative medallions and musical instruments. Its delicate construction and imagery offer insights into the social and cultural values of the time. Pastoral scenes, like the one depicted here, were popular among the European elite. These idealized images of rural life reflected a longing for simplicity and escape from the complexities of urban society. The fan itself was a status symbol. Its ownership and display signaled wealth, refinement, and participation in elite social circles. Institutions such as academies and salons played a significant role in shaping taste and promoting artistic styles like Rococo, characterized by elegance and ornamentation. Objects like this folding fan offer historians valuable insights into the cultural landscape of the past. By examining the imagery, materials, and social context of such artifacts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the values, beliefs, and power dynamics that shaped society.