Fan: The Races at La Marche
1885
Medium
Lithograph printed in five colors on ivory wove paper, mounted on a fan armature
Dimensions
38 × 75 cm (15 × 29 9/16 in.)
Classification
lithograph
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
136131
Art Historical Context
This striking fan, created by John Lewis Brown 1885, transforms a functional accessory into a vibrant work of art. Titled *The Races at La Marche*, the piece captures the excitement of a sporting event through a lithograph printed in five colors on ivory wove paper. Mounted on a fan armature, it measures 38 × 75 cm, blending utility with visual storytelling in a format popular during the late nineteenth century. The use of color lithography allowed artists to produce lively, affordable images that reached wide audiences, reflecting the era’s growing interest in leisure and public spectacles. ...
About the Artist
John Lewis Brown · 1829–1890
Comment on works: battle; animals; genre