Folding Fan Grand Tour, with View of the Pantheon in Rome

This fan is part of a collection of twenty-four fans and four fan sheets that arrived at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum in 2005 as a bequest from collector Carlo Martino Enzo Borgomaneri. The entire collection, dating between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, reflects the taste and culture of the Grand Tour era, the journey through the Italian peninsula undertaken by members of the European aristocracy to complete their education. Throughout the 18th century, the ruins of ancient Rome, Naples, and the recently uncovered archaeological sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii constituted an irresistible lure for visitors and artists, leading them to desire souvenirs like these fans to remember the most beautiful places encountered during their travels. This fan depicts a view of the Pantheon from a northeast angle, including the fountain with the obelisk and people crossing the square. On either side of the central medallion, there are two panels adorned with floral elements and a golden bird on a light background, framed by friezes in shades of blue, faux marble, and other floral elements.