Skating, from the Pretty Athletes series (N196) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This lithograph, made by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., features a figure equipped with a saber and elaborate fur cape, gliding across the ice. The skating figure is dressed in a style reminiscent of military attire, complete with a decorative saber. The saber, historically a symbol of martial prowess and honor, is here somewhat displaced. It's a curious juxtaposition—a tool of conflict accompanying an act of leisure and grace. Consider, though, how symbols evolve. The saber, once strictly associated with warfare, now dances on the edge of pageantry, its sharp edge softened. Think of the recurring motif of the warrior throughout art history. From classical sculptures of victorious emperors to Renaissance paintings of noble knights, the figure of the armed warrior embodies strength and authority. But here, the martial symbol is softened, transformed into something more playful. This evolution speaks to a collective desire to temper aggression, to find beauty and elegance even in symbols of power. A cultural shift, reflected in how we remember and re-imagine our symbols.