Studie til Mne de Prangins figur, fugur til mne de Budés højre arm og håd med vifte, og to studier af højre hånd 1791 - 1792

This study by Jens Juel captures the delicate gesture of a woman's hand, holding a fan, rendered in chalk on paper. The fan, a seemingly simple object, speaks volumes about the social rituals of the late 18th century. Consider the fan's evolution: from ancient winnowing tools to symbols of status in the courts of Europe. Its use transcends mere practicality; it becomes a tool for subtle communication, a language of flirtation and etiquette. Think of the Kabuki theatre, where the fan is used as a prop. In the hand of a geisha, the fan becomes an extension of her expressive range. Here, Juel captures not just the form but the potential narrative held within this object, hinting at the complex interplay between concealment and revelation, a dance of social mores played out in the flutter of a fan.