A Lady Holding a Fan

Carlevarijs's study of a Venetian lady holding a fan depicts a ubiquitous accessory of early eighteenth-century Venetian feminine fashion. The fan — folded, spread, raised, lowered — was not merely a cooling device but a language of social communication, and its presence in crowd scenes gave painted figures a dynamic quality of gesture and interaction. Venice's reputation as a city of pleasure, masked carnival, and aristocratic leisure made such accessories particularly characteristic, and Carlevarijs's documentation of them reflects his understanding of the specific social identity of the Venice he was painting. The staffage figures in his vedute needed to read as authentically Venetian rather than generically Italian.

The figure is painted with attention to the fall of fabric and the decorative details of the costume. Quick, fluid brushwork captures the overall silhouette while indicating the specific textures of silk and lace.