Fanfare
by Pamela Cowen
Category: Art

This illustrated volume, published in conjunction with an exhibition at The Fan Museum, Greenwich, gathers together a group of over 40 fans and fan leaves dating from the reign of Louis XIV. These fans and fan leaves are presented within five thematic chapters, which together present a unique insight into the social, cultural and political life of the Court of Louis XIV, much of it centred on the Gardens of Versailles and the role played by the fans in presenting and promoting all aspects of Louis' reign. The author identifies many of the sources of the designs and motifs of the fans, and shows how the design and decoration of these fans was integrally linked with wider stylistic developments within the decorative arts.