FIDM Museum Blog

Félix Alexandre

Félix Alexandre: his fans were called “the richest of any exhibited”[1] at London’s 1851 Crystal Palace Exposition; they were commissioned and carried by European royalty, and painted by the artistic masters of the 19^th century. His fans represented a lifestyle of luxury, ornate works of art that communicated the status and wealth of their owners. Today, fans bearing his signature reside in museums around the world, and two examples are currently on display in the FIDM Museum exhibition A Graceful Gift: Fans from the Mona Lee Nesseth Collection.

Little is known about the early life of this gifted artist. He was born November 23, 1823 in Paris; records indicate he began his career painting and designing textiles and wallpaper.[2] He joined the house of Desrochers in 1849 as a fan painter specializing in flowers. After marrying M. Desrochers’ daughter, he took over the business and started manufacturing fans that were quickly recognized as the finest in the world.[3] His reputation was further buoyed when the glamorous and fashionable Empress Eugenie of France began carrying his fans, which sparked a devoted royal following that included Queen Victoria, Queen Louise of the Netherlands, the Queen of Spain, and Empress Maria of Russia. Alexandre’s work was prominently displayed in the fan pavilions at the 1862 World Exhibition in London and the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, prompting additional royal commissions.[4]

Attributed to Félix Alexandre, Artist
Marguerite-Fanny Dubois-d'Avesnes, Painter
France, c. 1855-65
Mother-of-pearl & parchment
2016.975.1

SHAPED Now Open

We hope you’ve had a chance to visit our Graceful Gift fan exhibition, learn about the unique objects on display, and hear directly from our donor and fan collector Mona Lee Nesseth. Now, there’s even more to see when you visit our galleries: we are excited to announce the temporary installation SHAPED: Case Studies in Communication, Ventilation & Construction. In coordination with A Graceful Gift, students in FIDM's Advanced Practice in Color, Design & 3D Form class researched and created conceptual interpretations of the fan and its many functions. Each piece is accompanied by a text panel written by the student, explaining the process behind their artwork.

The gallery contains photography, 3D art objects, jewelry, and textiles, all joined together by the inspiration of the fan. We invite you to visit SHAPED, and compare these pieces to their 19^th and 20^th century traditional counterparts in A Graceful Gift. But hurry – both shows close July 2! Please refer to the FIDM Museum website for days and hours of operation.

Ting Hsuan Mei
Folded Paper Installation
Paper

Kailee Lucero
Frequent Illusory
Inkjet Printed onto Paper

Q&A with Mona Lee Nesseth

It takes a distinctive aesthetic, passion, and discipline to collect rare and beautiful objects. It takes a profoundly generous spirit to then pass that collection on so that more people can enjoy them. Mona Lee Nesseth, a Graduate Gemologist, custom jewelry designer, and antique and estate jewelry expert, made a truly graceful gift when she bestowed her exquisite collection of hand fans to the FIDM Museum & Galleries, which are now showcased in the current exhibition, A Graceful Gift: Fans From The Mona Lee Nesseth Collection. The exhibition is open for one more month - make sure you catch it before it closes on July 2!

Mona Lee Nesseth (left) with FIDM Museum Curator Kevin Jones (center) and Fashion Council Chair Mima Ransom (right).

Elizabeth Hinckley, editor of the FIDM Museum Newsletter, recently sat down with Mona to learn about her journey from enthusiast to collector, and the fan that started it all...

How did your fan obsession begin?

I have always been mesmerized by hand-held fans, both antique and contemporary. I am inspired by their beauty, their flirtatious function, and the enchanting stories that they can conjure.

France, 1800-1805
Hand-painted parchment, gilt brass, turquoise & mother-of-pearl

What is it about this particular accessory that has smitten you?

I admire the refined combination of master artistry, history, fashion and function. Throughout history, fans have been utilitarian symbols of status, romance and sentimental tokens commemorating momentous personal and historical occasions, including weddings, mourning, and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

I am enchanted by fans depicting mythical tales. I am captivated by fans that celebrate the mundane and by fans that are evocative romantic displays of everyday life, fantasy, even controversy. I am charmed by fans creating delicate patterns with lace. I am bedazzled by fans that sparkle with glistening spangles and gems. I am mystified by the intricate hand-crafted labyrinthine carvings and engravings found on the sticks and guards of the fans.