Anonymous from Madrid, first third of the XVIIIth century
Fan with View of the Alcazar of Madrid, ca. 1734

Fan with View of the Alcazar of Madrid, ca. 1734
Fan with View of the Royal Alcazar of the Habsburgs in Madrid, made around 1734.

The scene shows the south façade of such an outstanding construction, hallmark and seat of the Spanish government by the house of Austria until 1700, and the first third of the 18th century with Philip V. As is well known, all the architecture disappeared after the fire caused during the Christmas Eve of 1734 in response to a change of taste in favor of the new French aesthetics prevailing in Europe for the new house of Bourbon reigning in Spain.

The view of such a regal building can be appreciated from the north façade of the also sadly disappeared Royal Armory, which Philip II ordered to be built, with a lively view of the now preserved square or courtyard of the Palace. Here, a bustling snapshot recreates what must have been the often common encounter between nobles, bodyguards, passers-by, palace envoys and ecclesiastics. Only a column of smooth shaft and another small architecture to the left of the painting are elements invented by the painter of this fan, a construction this one to say that it would levitate on the current Campo del Moro.

The reverse of the country shows a view of Central European taste, where a fortified construction exempt in its island is surrounded by a small town in view of a solitary boatman.

Kid's country with carved and polychrome carved bone rod with floral and vegetal motifs in its two guards. The front of the carved bone has a rich and fine decoration presided by a gallant scene, where a man plays a piece of music with his vihuela or lute in front of two seated ladies. On the sides, four medallions enrich the piece with two small painted landscapes, and two others with other elements. All this set is surrounded by gilded rocailles.

We consider this fan to be an outstanding piece of artistic historical interest due to the subject matter of the painting, another unpublished view of the Alcazar of Madrid.

Max. dimension 52.6 cm

Total height 28.3 cm

Height Country 13.6 cm

No. of rods 26 (24+2)