Medium
Decorative Arts
Classification
Decorative Arts
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mrs. Henry L. Milmore through Mr. Henry L. Milmore
Accession Number
1956.6.66B
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming French fan, created by an unidentified artist, exemplifies the whimsical elegance of decorative arts from an era when hand fans were both fashionable accessories and canvases for storytelling. Adorned with an endearing scene of anthropomorphic sheep—a male and female pair engaged in lively conversation—the fan captures a playful moment that blends humor with pastoral imagery. Such motifs reflect the French tradition of infusing everyday objects with narrative delight, turning functional items into miniature works of art. As a piece of decorative arts, the fan likely features del...
About the Artist
Unidentified (French)
Georges Hugnet (1906–1974) was a multifaceted French artist, poet, writer, and critic whose innovative collages and graphic works bridged Dada and Surrealism. Born in Paris on July 11, 1906, he spent much of his early childhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, returning to France around 1913. His early life and artistic training remain sparsely documented, with no records of formal art school attendanc...