Artwork
Folding Fan Depicting Chrysanthemums and Butterflies which belonged to Empress Maria Feodorovna
Folding Fan Depicting Chrysanthemums and Butterflies which belonged to Empress Maria Feodorovna is a gouache painting by the Japonisme artist Louis Billotey. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
This gouache painting on a white folding fan, created in 1896 by Louis Billotey, features vibrant chrysanthemums and butterflies against a dark background, with intricate details and dynamic movement.
Subject & Meaning
The subject centers on yellow, red, and pink chrysanthemums accompanied by orange and brown butterflies, symbolizing themes potentially related to nature, beauty, and possibly the ephemeral, though specific meanings tied to Empress Maria Feodorovna’s ownership are not detailed.
Technique & Style
Billotey employed gouache to achieve detailed, high-contrast imagery, with thin lines and small dots conveying a sense of motion in the static butterflies and flowers, set against a dark backdrop that accentuates the fan’s design.
History & Provenance
Originally owned by Empress Maria Feodorovna, the fan is now part of the collection at the State Hermitage Museum.
Context
Created in 1896, the piece reflects late 19th-century artistic interests in natural motifs and possibly the influence of East Asian aesthetics on European art, given the fan’s form.
Legacy
While the fan showcases Billotey’s skill, its broader impact or influence on subsequent art movements is not prominently documented, though it remains a notable example of late 19th-century gouache work on an unusual medium.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
