The Foot Hang, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This is a cigarette card produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. sometime between 1870 and 1920, as part of a series showcasing gymnastic exercises. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing strategy, but they also reflect the evolving cultural landscape of the late 19th century, where advertising, consumerism, and idealized notions of physical fitness converged. The image of a woman performing "The Foot Hang" speaks volumes about the changing roles of women in society. During this period, women began to participate more actively in sports and physical activities, challenging traditional gender norms. The choice to depict a woman engaged in a gymnastic feat challenges the conventional representations of women as passive and delicate. It serves as a window into the complex negotiations of gender, health, and commercial culture during a transformative era. What feelings does the image evoke in you? Does it make you think of freedom? Subjugation?