Mont Saint Michel, from the Fancy Bathers series (N187) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This chromolithograph, part of William S. Kimball & Co.’s “Fancy Bathers” series, depicts a seated woman gazing towards the horizon. Her gesture is particularly revealing; she’s shielding her eyes. The need to see afar, to protect the eyes from the blinding light of the sun, is ancient. Think of the Cyclops in Homer’s Odyssey, whose single eye is blinded, plunging him into darkness and ignorance. Or consider the countless depictions of prophets and seers, often portrayed with hands raised, either shielding their eyes or as if in a visionary trance. The gesture echoes across time, from classical sculpture to Renaissance painting, each instance subtly shifting in meaning, yet retaining a core element: the struggle to perceive truth, battling with blindness and ignorance. This image, though seemingly simple, taps into a deep, collective memory. The very act of shielding one’s eyes becomes a powerful symbol, resonating with our eternal quest for clarity and understanding.