Mont Saint Michel, from the Beautiful Bathers series (N192) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Mont Saint Michel, from the Beautiful Bathers series, was produced by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as a chromolithograph trading card, a small, mass-produced collectible. These cards became popular in the late 19th century, often included in product packaging. This card, part of a series, highlights the changing representations of women in leisure and fashion. The bather, in her polka-dot swimsuit with red ribbons, embodies a Victorian ideal of beauty, yet her presence also hints at new freedoms for women. She gazes towards the horizon with a determined look. Is she simply enjoying a day at the beach or anticipating greater social changes? These cards offered a glimpse into a world where consumer culture and evolving gender roles were beginning to intersect, creating both aspiration and, perhaps, a touch of societal anxiety. As we observe her, we might consider what it means to be seen, and to be both admired and objectified in the public eye.