Polo Girl, from the series "Hamilton King Girls" (T7, Type 6), issued by Turkish Trophies Cigarettes 1913

Hamilton King made this “Polo Girl” for Turkish Trophies Cigarettes, probably around the turn of the century, using a lithographic process. The soft pastels and gentle lines give it a light, airy feel, like a fleeting impression. Look at the way King renders the textures - the smooth, almost slick fabric of her riding coat compared to the soft, hazy edges of her hat. The details aren't hyper-realistic, but they capture the essence of the fabrics. Notice how the simple addition of a light blue to the edge of the hat and down her coat brings it to life. It's as if he’s saying that capturing a feeling is more important than getting every button and stitch perfect, or even if polo is a little ridiculous! This reminds me of Toulouse-Lautrec's posters, where the image is about capturing a mood. Art doesn’t have to be serious; it can be playful, a little absurd, and still be beautiful.