Flora, from the Ballet Queens series (N182) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This is "Flora," a chromolithograph trading card from the Ballet Queens series, created by William S. Kimball & Company. The composition centres on a ballet dancer, her pose a study in contrasts. Note the striking use of colour: the deep reds and browns of her costume against the pale backdrop create a visual tension. The materiality of this chromolithograph, with its layered inks, speaks to the era's fascination with mass production. Yet, within this context, the artist manipulates line and form to suggest movement. Her body is arranged to convey a dynamic sense of rhythm. How does this image challenge established meanings? The dancer, a public figure, is simultaneously objectified and empowered. The image invites us to question the power dynamics inherent in representation and the cultural codes that inform our understanding of beauty and performance.