Dumb Bells, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

Curator: This delightfully strange image, "Dumb Bells, from the Gymnastic Exercises series," comes to us from 1887, courtesy of W. Duke, Sons & Co., and it’s currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the tension between the soft pastels and the figure’s quite determined pose, not to mention the curious composition itself. Curator: Well, these cards were inserts in cigarette packs. The intention was likely to project an image of vitality and modern womanhood, linking it to the consumption of their product. It's fascinating to see how gender roles were marketed then, using emerging athletic interests. Editor: Right, but look at the lines – those vibrant vertical stripes on the orange suit are visually arresting, creating a sense of almost frenetic energy in contrast to the demure subject, it is a visual chaos, especially with the clashing horizontal emphasis of that oddly-placed sash. It certainly keeps the eye moving. Curator: I think the color palette serves to normalize a subject that may have seemed radical at the time—women participating in physical culture. It’s softening any potentially threatening aspects of the “New Woman.” And, look at the card itself as a reflection of societal anxieties surrounding female empowerment during that era. Editor: True, yet there’s a flattening effect here, isn’t there? The figure exists within an ambiguous space, almost pasted onto that dappled background, limiting any realistic depth to it and leaving us, maybe purposefully, with more questions than answers about her reality. Even her form is flattened and elongated. Curator: Precisely. By analyzing the commercial purpose, and understanding how the image contributes to the marketing campaign, we uncover more profound themes related to aspiration, athleticism, and evolving concepts of femininity within this specific historical juncture. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about social commentary! Editor: Okay, but I can still appreciate the bold application of colored pencils creating surprisingly complex tonal variation within those seemingly simple shapes and lines, adding, despite everything, some charm. Curator: I find that it serves to open avenues of inquiry into the evolving cultural status of women in that historical period. Editor: Indeed, a surprisingly nuanced work that offers visual richness and layers of potential cultural meaning to unravel.