Fencing, from the Pretty Athletes series (N196) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Editor: So, this is "Fencing," a colored-pencil drawing from the Pretty Athletes series by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., created in 1889. It's rather striking – a woman fencer, depicted almost as a caricature. The high contrast gives it a unique energy, but the overall feeling is rather… theatrical. What stands out to you the most about it? Curator: Theatrical, absolutely! It leaps right off the card, doesn't it? Imagine this card tucked inside a cigarette pack. It's all about spectacle. The exaggerated pose, the glossy boots… and that vibrant leotard. We’re not aiming for realism here; it’s more about capturing the *idea* of athleticism, mixed with a healthy dose of, well, visual punch! It’s less concerned with sport, and more invested in entertainment! Do you get that? It almost seems as if the woman in question were auditioning for the opera instead! Editor: That's interesting! The opera... So, it's like a performance within a performance? But I wonder, why fencing, specifically? Was it a particularly popular sport at the time, or does it tie into a specific cultural narrative? Curator: I think it hits a certain note of daring and athleticism that maybe photography couldn't quite deliver in 1889. Fencing implies precision, discipline… and maybe even danger. Something a burgeoning modern consumer could connect with and aspire to. It's like a little snapshot of the "new woman" as consumer item! So what’s *your* snap take on the topic?! Editor: That makes a lot of sense! The "new woman" and a thrilling sport... quite the combo. Seeing it that way adds another layer of meaning to it. It feels less random and more… intentional now. Curator: Exactly. That’s where the fun lies - seeing how even the most frivolous-seeming pieces can tell a story! I found your opera reading amusing... I'd never looked at the work that way, and am grateful!