OBJECTS Art Nouveau Fashion Folding fan featuring Oriental landscape, 1909 Jan Zrzavý (1890–1977) Birch veneer sticks, oil painting; height 18 cm The type of landscape and character of the painting correspond to Jan Zrzavý’s early creative career, represented, for example, by his painting “The Valley of Sorrow” from 1907. The quote from Buddha alludes to the artist’s interest in Oriental and spiritual subjects that was the outcome of his study of Eastern religions, philosophies and Theosophy. The citation from a book by Julius Zeyer on the reverse side of the fan, “Oh love, love, you connect the earth with heaven. In its pure archetypal meaning without a flaw!” suggests his intrigue with that poet and writer’s philosophical thought. Jan Zrzavý painted the fan in 1909 for his partner in the dance lessons he took in Čáslav, where he lived with his parents from 1907 to 1911.