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

This small chromolithograph, printed by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., is from a series called 'Beautiful Bathers'. Produced as promotional material for the company’s cigarettes, its appeal lay in the alluring depiction of leisure. But it is important to consider the wider context of its making. Chromolithography was a revolutionary printing technique that emerged in the 19th century, facilitating the mass production of color images. While it democratized image-making, its proliferation was underpinned by industrial capitalism and the exploitation of labor. Consider the number of impressions needed to create these cards, and the regimented labor involved in their production. Dinard’s seemingly carefree pose thus belies a complex web of manufacturing, marketing, and consumption. By examining the material reality of its making, we can appreciate how these seemingly innocuous objects are tied to broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.