Cancan, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Curator: This charming piece is a print called "Cancan, from National Dances," produced around 1889 by Kinney Bros., likely as a promotional card. It now resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Immediately striking, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Oh, utterly! My first impression is sheer vivacity. Look at that flouncy skirt, the poised energy. There’s something both innocent and rather daring about her expression. The decorative flair speaks volumes! Curator: Exactly. The cancan itself, emerging from working-class Parisian dance halls, was scandalous. Think about the layers of cultural encoding, rebellion peeking out beneath those layers of lace. Editor: The ruffled skirt itself becomes a symbolic vocabulary. It represents hidden layers, like secrets revealed with a kick. The figure herself has such delicate details, but contrasted by what she is wearing. How can a costume have its own story? Curator: That's insightful. The artist focuses less on individual character and more on the cultural symbolism attached to the dance, almost making her an emblem. Note how this links into earlier traditions that utilize recognizable symbols for royalty or even saints in visual representation, imbuing everyday life with coded messages. Editor: I hadn’t quite placed the emphasis on symbolism over the individual. Tell me more about the cultural context for these figures, if tobacco cards used them like icons. Curator: Kinney Brothers, aiming for broad appeal, tapped into a fascination with global cultures – or perhaps, stereotypical notions of them. This 'national dances' series exoticized even familiar European dances for American consumers. And with affordable color printing now widespread, this becomes an exciting commodity! Editor: I see the economic angle there too – consumerism feeding cultural fascination through cheap lithography! But looking at her poised, ambiguous smile... I wonder if this “Cancan” holds a secret commentary on her commodification, this little icon. Curator: That ambiguity, that’s where art always whispers its most provocative questions. I'm off to do a Cancan of my own after a successful reveal of imagery! Editor: It seems like a perfectly wonderful conclusion! It has been truly insightful to dissect the image and reflect more deeply. I also want to watch the play “La Cage aux Folles” immediately now too.