"Caught Robbing the Male" (61b) c. 1899

Editor: This is "Caught Robbing the Male," a stereograph from 1899 by T.W. Ingersoll. The scene is domestic, yet the title suggests a transgression. What's your interpretation? Curator: It's fascinating how this image plays with gender roles and power dynamics. The woman is literally caught, but what is she taking? Whose gaze controls the narrative? What is the socio-economic context that made such images appealing? Editor: So, you're suggesting it's not just a simple joke? Curator: Exactly. The stereograph hints at anxieties surrounding female agency in the late 19th century. Editor: I never thought of it that way before. Curator: It is a reminder that art can be a reflection of the issues of its time, and subvert these issues. Editor: I see now how considering the broader social context helps unlock new meanings.