Modern Ballet Dancer, from the Dancing Women series (N186) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This small lithograph, titled "Modern Ballet Dancer," was produced by William S. Kimball & Co. as part of the "Dancing Women" series. The dancer, with her elaborate costume and poised stance, offers a study in visual artifice and constructed femininity. The costume itself is a fascinating exercise in form. The layered textures—feathery skirt, floral headpiece, and winged epaulettes—create a dynamic interplay between the organic and the artificial. The artist uses line and color to define the dancer's figure, but also to abstract her, turning her into a decorative object. Her gaze avoids direct engagement; instead, she appears as a composed figure, emphasizing presentation over emotion. The structural elements of the print suggest a society where spectacle and appearance held considerable cultural weight. Through its intricate details and stylized representation, the artwork prompts us to consider how images shape perceptions of gender and performance.