The Making of the Signature Fan

Sketch by Peter Jellitsch for the Signature Fan of Mandarin Oriental, Vienna

An Expression of Vienna — Where Heritage Meets Modernity

The signature fan of Mandarin Oriental, Vienna is more than a decorative object - it is a visual interpretation of the city itself. A study in contrasts, it captures the interplay between tradition and innovation, structure and spontaneity, stillness and movement.

Bold, expressive brushstrokes sweep across a calm geometric grid, creating a dynamic tension that reflects the spirit of the hotel. An elegant balance between historic legacy and contemporary sophistication.

Peter Jellitsch during the designing process of the Signature Fan od Mandarin Oriental, Vienna

The Artist’s Vision

Created by Austrian artist Peter Jellitsch, the fan is deeply rooted in Vienna’s artistic and cultural identity.

At the heart of his concept was a simple yet profound question: What colour is Vienna?For Jellitsch, the answer lies in a refined and timeless palette - gold, black and white.

The building that houses Mandarin Oriental, Vienna dates from 1906 to 1908, a defining period for Viennese Modernism, when the Wiener Werkstätte and the Secessionists were shaping a new artistic language. This era, rich in innovation and craftsmanship, became a key source of inspiration.

A particular influence is the work of Josef Hoffmann, whose designs frequently feature grids and checkerboard patterns, motifs that also appear in the historic building itself, including a hand-painted ceiling on Riemergasse.

The final Signature Fan of Mandarin Oriental, Vienna by Peter Jellitsch

Where Art, Architecture and Design Converge

This architectural detail became a central element of the fan’s design. The checkerboard pattern forms its structural foundation, bringing a sense of order and rhythm.

Crafted from solid brass elements, the fan merges material precision with painterly expression. Its surface carries a painted texture, a signature of Jellitsch’s artistic practice, where fluid gestures unfold across a disciplined grid.

Reduced to black and white, the composition echoes the artist’s ongoing exploration of binary systems, zeros and ones, contrast and repetition, analogue and digital. The result is a piece that exists between worlds, bridging physical craftsmanship with conceptual depth.

Signature Fan of Mandarin Oriental, Vienna, created by Peter Jellitsch, displayed in the Reception Area.

A Timeless Signature

In its balance of clarity and expression, the signature fan stands as a symbol of Mandarin Oriental, Vienna - refined, thoughtful, and deeply connected to its sense of place. More than an emblem, it embodies a philosophy of duality that defines both Vienna and Mandarin Oriental - where past and future coexist, where heritage informs innovation, and where every detail is guided by intention. As a narrative object, the fan tells a story through material, form and gesture, inviting guests to experience Vienna not only as a destination, but as a living dialogue between history and modern creativity. A quiet icon, crafted with precision and shaped by artistry.