Card 54, from the Girl Cyclists series (N49) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1887

This small card, from the late 19th century, depicts a woman riding a high-wheel bicycle, a symbol of modernity and freedom. The bicycle itself, with its large front wheel, dominates the image, reflecting a period of technological fascination. The woman’s daring pose, almost defiant, is reminiscent of classical depictions of female deities. The bicycle, typically a masculine pursuit, places her in a liminal space, challenging societal norms. Think of depictions of Fortuna, the goddess of fortune, balancing precariously on a wheel. Similarly, this woman balances on the edge of societal expectations, embodying the spirit of change. The wheel, a universal symbol of time and cyclical renewal, here propels the woman forward, suggesting progress. Its circular form echoes the ouroboros, the ancient serpent eating its own tail, representing the eternal return. Does the advent of women riding bicycles represent eternal freedom? This image speaks to a complex interplay between progress and tradition, freedom and constraint, capturing the spirit of a rapidly changing era.