Miss Arnoldson as "The Sea Nymph," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

Editor: This small colored-pencil print, dating from 1889, is titled "Miss Arnoldson as 'The Sea Nymph,'" made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. There’s something whimsical about the drawing; it almost feels like a playful caricature. What visual symbols jump out at you? Curator: Immediately, the serpent-like fish atop her head seizes my attention. It is a symbol with a lengthy, often ambivalent history. Consider its role in mythology. The serpent is a chthonic symbol, linked to primal energies, often feminine, but here it is almost farcical, made docile as a mere hat. Does it retain any power? Editor: It seems quite defanged, part of a costume, almost trivialized. The trident accessory reinforces the sea theme, but lacks menace. Curator: Precisely. The trident, traditionally associated with Poseidon, here loses its imposing significance, softened and made almost ornamental. It's indicative of the late 19th century’s relationship to classical symbols, drained of their primordial impact, reworked into decoration. Even her pink frilly costume is interesting. What do these softened emblems communicate about the perception of power and femininity at this time? Editor: Perhaps a reclaiming of power through satire and humor, turning potent symbols into playful fashion? Curator: Precisely! There’s a psychological strategy at work: appropriating the cultural memory of imposing symbols and domesticating them. The question lingers: does trivialization weaken their impact, or does this playful use imbue them with a subtle new significance? Editor: That reframing makes me see it in a whole new light. I didn’t realize there was so much more beyond the surface. Curator: Visual symbols contain layers upon layers of history. Hopefully you will look closer now.