Jarabe, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This is a lithograph of a woman in dance attire, printed by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. A striking symbol is the fan she holds; a tool of flirtation and secrecy, but also a banner, a shield, a means to draw the eye. Consider how the fan has traveled through time, from ancient Eastern rituals, where it was a symbol of status, to the courts of Europe, where it became an instrument in the language of love. The subtle gestures, the concealed glances, all speak to the power of suggestion and the game of attraction. The fan, much like dance itself, carries layers of meaning, evolving with each movement and cultural context. It's a visual echo, resonating with stories of power, seduction, and tradition. It engages our emotions through a deeply ingrained visual language. It speaks of cultural memory, and of symbols that transcend time, resurfacing in new forms and meanings.