Slow Pull Up, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This small chromolithograph, "Slow Pull Up," was produced around 1890 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of collectible cards included in cigarette packs. These cards, popular at the time, offer a glimpse into the era's cultural values and gender ideals. The image depicts a woman in a striped garment, possibly swimwear, engaging in a gymnastic exercise. However, her pose and attire subtly blend athleticism with an appeal to the male gaze. The card suggests a tension between the emerging physical independence of women and their continued representation as objects of desire. It invites us to reflect on the complex ways in which women were portrayed in popular culture. This tension highlights the ongoing negotiation of female identity in a rapidly changing society. How does this image reflect or challenge the traditional roles assigned to women at the time?