Fan c. 1936

Rosalia Lane made this drawing of a fan with pencil and watercolour. I am immediately drawn to the softness of the colours, a gentle palette of pinks and greens which give the picture a delicate, romantic feel. I wonder about the artist’s process, whether she began with a detailed pencil sketch, carefully mapping out the intricate designs before adding washes of watercolour. Or did the image emerge more intuitively, building up the composition through layers of translucent colour? The drawing has an ethereal quality, the figures and motifs seem to float on the surface, suggesting a dreamlike vision. There’s a real sense of play here, too. The fan feels like a stage for Lane to explore the decorative possibilities of her medium, echoing the work of other artists who have found inspiration in the everyday objects. But here, Lane makes it entirely her own!