Description

A rare unmounted fan leaf was made in London and shows the Mutiny of Aranjuez and capture of Prime Minister of Spain, Manuel Godoy, on March 19, 1808. The text below is in Spanish language.

The Mutiny of Aranjuez (Spanish: Motín de Aranjuez) was an uprising led against King Charles IVand prime minister, Manuel de Godoy, that took place on 17–19 March 1808. Godoy was unpopular among both the nobles and the Spanish people for his alliance with France and Napoleon. England played a critical role in liberating Spain from Napoleon and removing Emauel Godoy from power. 

The composition of the image on the fan was based on an engraving by Francisco de Paula Martí (1761-1827), who copied a painting by Zacarías Velázquez (1763-1834). Such fans with political content were at the time popular among Spanish women, who could with such decorative objects showcase their political involvement. 

These fans are rare. The British Museum owns another uncut example (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1438134&partId=1&people=22489&peoA=22489-2-70&page=1) and one mounted example is held at the Museo de Historia de Madrid.

References: Kirsty Hassard, Identifying Women’s Political Involvement in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. Political fans in British Collections. In: Contemporanea, 4/2017, ottobre-dicembre, pp. 665-680.