Skip to main content

La Prima Donna: From a Profession to a Pejorative

Barber of Seville Opera Fan

Item

Title
Barber of Seville Opera Fan
Rights
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. Public Domain.
Creator
Fernando Coustellier and Co.
Date
c. 1818
Description
An opera fan designed and printed by the Parisian fan-maker Fernando Coustellier that pays tribute to Rossini's opera, "The Barber of Seville." The fan features characters from the opera as well as part of its score in an intricate design, as they were often used as dual-purpose fashion statements and heat-relieving tools at the opera.
Format
Paper, silver, and ivory handheld fan. 8 1/2 × 16 1/4 in.
Publisher
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts.
Contributor
Lindsey Cillis
Identifier
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. 33.82.6.
Subject
Opera; fans; fan design; The Barber of Seville.
Source
JPEG file. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. Unknown photographer. 10/26/2023. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/209552.