The Fountain of Youth

Fan with mother of pearl sticks and guards.

The double canepin leaf is painted on the recto with numerous figures and, in the centre, a 'Fountain of Youth', prized for its restorative properties. The figures on the left enter the water dressed in eighteenth century attire while to the right figures emerge wearing fashionable nineteenth century dress.
The verso is painted with a medallion (with three of the Muses supported by putti) and incorporates the coat of arms of Eugénie, Empress of the French; signed Alexandre.

This fan is described in the catalogue of ‘The Loan Exhibition of Fans at The South Kensington Museum’ (now the Victoria & Albert Museum) Cat. No. 226.