Fan “Slaves of Love” France circa 1750
Paper leaf depicts an allegorical scene: in the centre we see a chariot decorated with flowers, on which the god of love Cupid sits. The chariot is pulled by a pair of lions – the “kings of beasts” and is accompanied by musical girls. To the right behind the chariot is an endless stream of couples in love, bound by symbolic chains. All classes are subject to love: in the stream we see noble people (the first couple is in expensive clothes and with crowns on their heads, perhaps an allusion to Alexander the Great and Roxana) and simple peasants (people with rakes and ladles). The action takes place against the background of an idyllic landscape.
Frame: mother of pearl, carved and gilded.
Size: 30 sm