Foulard, from National Dances (N225, Type 2) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Editor: This is "Foulard, from National Dances," created around 1889 by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It's a print that uses drawing and watercolor, and it reminds me of the posters I've seen for old musicals, with all its vibrant color. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: You know, it does have a theatrical flair, doesn't it? But more than just a poster, for me, it whispers of a longing for exoticism. Back then, things from Japan were all the rage, this Japonisme, which adds an intriguing layer, a sense of borrowed fancy. Though the style’s quite naïve. What does she mean to us today? What did she represent then? Editor: Borrowed fancy is a great way to put it. I guess she represented otherness. Was it common to exoticize women in art at the time? Curator: Ah, common! Yes, like serving tea in a geisha outfit! Women were these convenient symbols for unexplored lands, seen but seldom understood. Think about this "national dance"—was it accurate, respectful? Or did it mostly serve the needs of those at home, longing for something beyond the familiar? The colours almost pop—do you think this heightens or softens her exotic portrayal? Editor: That's true, it’s almost definitely a one-dimensional view. I wonder if it was intended to celebrate other cultures or just titillate. The vibrant colors do draw the eye and romanticize it, don’t they? Curator: Exactly! It invites you in, doesn't it? Almost like saying, "Come, travel with us—but only through our safe, comfortable lens." Maybe it reminds us of the tightrope walk of engaging with different cultures—of celebrating differences without appropriating or distorting. Something to think about next time we put on that sombrero for Cinco de Mayo. Editor: Wow, that definitely makes me think about it differently. Thanks for sharing that!