Fan design, with figures eating outdoors 1648 - 1658

Valerio Spada created this design for a fan in pen and brown ink in seventeenth century Italy. The image shows a group of elegantly dressed figures enjoying a meal in a garden setting, a motif that speaks to the culture of leisure and display among the elite. The design reflects the influence of classical antiquity, with architectural elements such as columns and decorative motifs framing the scene, indicative of the revival of classical ideals during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Italy at this time was characterized by a complex social hierarchy, with wealthy families and the Church wielding considerable power. The art of this period often served to reinforce social status. In order to understand this artwork better, one might research the fashion, dining habits, and garden design of the Italian upper classes. The historian looks beyond the image to the social and cultural world that gave it meaning.