Cohasset, Massachusetts, from the Surf Beauties series (N232), issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Editor: This is "Cohasset, Massachusetts, from the Surf Beauties series (N232)," a lithograph from 1889 by Kinney Brothers. There's something both playful and strangely melancholic about this image. I wonder, how do you interpret this work? Curator: This image is part of a larger series of trade cards produced by a tobacco company, capitalizing on the increasing commodification of women’s bodies. It's crucial to ask: What power dynamics are at play when images like this are circulated so widely? Consider how this portrayal relates to the male gaze and the limited agency afforded to women at the time. Editor: So, it's less about the individual woman and more about what she represents in a broader societal context? Curator: Exactly. Her stylized pose and idealized figure were meant to sell a product. The image contributes to the objectification of women and the reinforcement of societal beauty standards. Can we separate the aesthetic qualities of the image from its potentially harmful effects? Editor: I guess not entirely. The composition and colours might be visually appealing, but they're intertwined with a message that perpetuates certain stereotypes. Does the seaside setting change how we perceive her? Curator: The beach can be read as a space of freedom and leisure, yet even here, the woman's body is subjected to scrutiny and commodification. Consider also the performativity of leisure in this time period. Were there different opportunities afforded to various racial or economic groups for leisure activities? Editor: This makes me reconsider my initial reading of the image. Thank you! Curator: Thinking critically about the intersection of art, commerce, and societal norms can help us to dismantle systems of power that normalize harmful stereotypes. These seemingly innocuous images are revealing of the time they came from.