Aim, from the Parasol Drills series (N18) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This is a lithograph card entitled "Aim," made as part of Allen & Ginter’s "Parasol Drills" series. The visual field is dominated by the figure of a woman, whose poised stance and direct gaze create an immediate, engaging presence. The artist uses a muted palette of blues, pinks, and creams to compose the subject and to create a sense of restrained elegance. The lines are soft, yet they define the figure and her clothing with precision. This formal composition may also be an appeal to cultural codes that define femininity. The semiotic function of the image extends beyond mere representation; it constructs a narrative around the figure that challenges conventional notions of women during this time period. It invites one to decode the underlying messages about beauty, social roles, and perhaps even subtle forms of resistance against fixed social meanings.