Parallel Bars, Vaulting, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

Editor: So, this is *Parallel Bars, Vaulting* from 1887, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., using colored pencil and print. What strikes me is the figure’s stillness. It feels almost posed, despite depicting an athletic activity. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a complex intersection of athleticism, gender roles, and consumer culture within the historical context of the late 19th century. It's presented as part of a series for cigarette cards, subtly promoting not just a brand, but an ideal of feminine physicality filtered through a patriarchal lens. Editor: How so? Curator: Consider how the woman’s body is presented: carefully posed, emphasizing certain shapes. Does it celebrate female strength or reinforce socially constructed standards of beauty and decorum expected of women in sports during that era? The tight swimsuit seems to restrict, more than support. How might feminist theory unpack this representation? Editor: So it's not just about sport, but about controlling the narrative around women in sport. Curator: Exactly! The male gaze is present even here. This seemingly innocent card participated in shaping perceptions about women’s bodies and capabilities. And it makes you think about contemporary advertising and its continuing role in these narratives. Editor: Wow, I hadn't considered all those layers. It's much more than just a picture of a gymnast. Curator: It shows how art, even in everyday objects like these cigarette cards, reflects and reinforces power structures within society. These seemingly harmless images actually played a role in a bigger cultural conversation.