Fan: The Races at La Marche

Art Historical Context

This striking fan, created by John Lewis Brown 1885, transforms a functional accessory into a vibrant work of art. Titled *The Races at La Marche*, the piece captures the excitement of a sporting event through a lithograph printed in five colors on ivory wove paper. Mounted on a fan armature, it measures 38 × 75 cm, blending utility with visual storytelling in a format popular during the late nineteenth century. The use of color lithography allowed artists to produce lively, affordable images that reached wide audiences, reflecting the era’s growing interest in leisure and public spectacles. By mounting the print on a fan, Brown’s work merges the worlds of fine prints and decorative objects, inviting viewers to appreciate both its dynamic composition and its practical charm. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings department, this lithograph highlights how everyday items could carry artistic and cultural significance, offering a glimpse into the period’s fascination with movement and modern pastimes.

About the Artist

John Lewis Brown · 1829–1890

Comment on works: battle; animals; genre