Unfolding Elegance: European Fans from the Taft Collection
August 8–November 29, 2026 | Sinton Gallery
Featuring sumptuous decoration and beautifully detailed paintings, the nine 18th-century fans in Unfolding Elegance represent the pinnacle of fan-making in Europe and a level of craftsmanship that was unrivaled in later periods. The involvement of several dozen artisans to produce one fan demonstrates the value of what is now a lost art form. Skilled craftspeople carved, pierced, and embellished the supports with a variety of precious materials, while painters chose subjects that emphasized storytelling, drama, and exuberance. Drawn from the Taft’s collection, these rare examples depict classical myths, pastoral scenes, and biblical stories—paintings only seen when a woman unfurled and delicately fluttered her fan, perhaps to cool the air or flirt with a suitor. In addition to exploring the rich history of the fan, Unfolding Elegance also celebrates the year-long conservation project that made it possible to share these fragile objects with the public.
Exhibition Programs
Curator Tour with Ann Glasscock and Betsy Allaire
November 4 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Explore the rich history of the 18th-century fan in Unfolding Elegance: European Fans from the Taft Collection with Associate Curator Ann Glasscock and hear from objects conservator Besty Allaire about the extensive restoration work she carried out on the fans featured in the exhibition.
Registration required. Includes admission to exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries.
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
More to Discover
How Does a Conservator Help Tell an Object’s Story? Unveiling the Beauty of European Fans
by Ann Glasscock, Associate Curator
In preparation for the exhibition Unfolding Elegance: European Fans from the Taft Collection, objects conservator Betsy Allaire spent over a year documenting, researching, and treating the Taft Museum of Art’s fans. Thanks to Allaire, we have a better understanding of what these works of art looked like when they were first made around 300 years ago. She devoted countless hours addressing areas of loss, reducing surface grime, and tending to repairs old and new. The project was made more complex because multiple artisans—specializing in fields ranging from painting to goldsmithing—created each fan, often utilizing complex techniques that are no longer practiced. They also used a wide variety of materials, including ivory, tortoiseshell, mother-of pearl, gold, silver, parchment, paper, and silk—all which age and behave in their own way. Before and after photographs, accompanied by descriptions, reveal how four of these fans have been conserved.
Plan Your Visit
Expand your visit beyond the galleries to discover the museum’s wide array of events and programs, retreat in the beautiful downtown garden, find a Cincinnati keepsake in the Museum Shop, or expand your culinary palate in the Taft Café.
Exhibition Sponsor
Perfection Group
Exhibition Support Generously Provided by
Bill and Carol Eckerle Endowment
Ellen and George Rieveschl Endowment
Warrington Exhibition Endowment
Chellgren Family Endowment
Sallie Robinson Wadsworth Endowment for Exhibitions
This project is supported in part by a grant from the Fan Association of North America (FANA).
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