Fan commemorating the 1855 Universal Exhibition
Intended as a souvenir, this commemorative fan shows the grand Palace of Industry erected for the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris. The Universal Exhibitions were major events for the promotion of national industr,ies, and French fan makers distinguished themselves from the start, winning the highest honors at the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition in London. The official catalogue of the 1855 exhibition described the fan industry in France as “advanced and flourishing” offering something for everyone from fans costing as little as three cents to those of the highest luxury.
Artwork Details
- Title: Fan commemorating the 1855 Universal Exhibition
- Artist: Alphonse Guilletat (French, mid-nineteenth century)
- Printer: Printed by Brioude-Laguérie (French, nineteenth century)
- Date: 1855
- Culture: French
- Medium: hand-colored and gilded lithograph; ivory; mother-of-pearl
- Dimensions: 10 3/8 x 19 3/4 in. (26.4 x 50.2 cm)
- Classification: Fans
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Thomas Hunt, 1933
- Object Number: 33.82.14
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier (French, 1827–1905)
1862
1867
1839
François-Desiré Froment-Meurice (1802–1855)
ca. 1850
After a painting by baron François Gérard (French, Rome 1770–1837 Paris)
designed 1805, woven 1808–11
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.