Grève d' Azette, from the Fancy Bathers series (N187) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Editor: This is "Grève d' Azette" from the Fancy Bathers series, a print made with colored pencils around 1889 by William S. Kimball & Co. It’s surprisingly intimate given its small size, almost like a glimpse into a private moment. What do you see in it? Curator: Ah, yes, intimate indeed. I find myself pondering the quiet narrative embedded in this seemingly simple scene. The woman, poised on the rock, is gazing wistfully at the sea. Is it longing, reflection, or perhaps a touch of melancholy? The muted colors add to that feeling. And have you noticed how the artist plays with light? It's impressionistic in its suggestion rather than realistic depiction, don't you think? Editor: Definitely. It feels like a captured memory. The soft, almost hazy, rendering makes it feel more like a feeling than a literal scene. Do you think it's unusual to depict a bather with such vulnerability, considering it's part of a "fancy" series? Curator: It's a curious tension, isn't it? The “fancy” implies a lightheartedness, perhaps even a hint of coquetry. But the subject’s demeanor hints at something deeper, an inner life. Perhaps it's a commentary on the societal expectations placed upon women, even in leisure? The artist could be hinting that even moments of pleasure can be tinged with introspection. Editor: That’s a great point! I hadn't considered that. The title “Grève d' Azette,” the beach in Jersey, could hint at that melancholy since it is remote and windy. Curator: Exactly! And do you notice the texture created through the medium itself? I can almost feel the artist coaxing subtle color variations from colored pencils to render skin tones. It’s lovely. I like that these popular prints still invite that kind of close looking and yield up ideas. What are your thoughts now? Editor: I appreciate it so much more now. I can see a more nuanced meaning. It's no longer just a pretty picture, but an invitation to consider the emotional lives of women in that period. Curator: Beautifully said. Art is a conversation, isn't it? A dialogue across time and experience.