Trouville, from the Fancy Bathers series (N187) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This chromolithograph of a woman at Trouville beach, was created by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of a series on ‘fancy bathers’. Notice the woman's pose with the towel held aloft, a gesture echoing classical depictions of nymphs or goddesses unveiling themselves. This ‘unveiling’ is a motif laden with meaning. In ancient art, it could symbolize the revelation of truth or beauty. Here, it seems to point towards a new era of female emancipation and freedom of expression. However, observe too how the woman's leopard print swimsuit contrasts with the classical pose. Leopard print, historically associated with wildness and the exotic, adds an element of daring and modernity. This juxtaposition tells us much about the evolving representation of women: no longer confined to traditional roles, yet still navigating societal expectations. The image becomes a site of tension, revealing a culture grappling with changing norms and emerging freedoms.