Margaret Mather in Colors of the Larchmont Yach Club, from the Yacht Colors of the World series (N140) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890

This chromolithograph of Margaret Mather in the Larchmont Yacht Club colors was created around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The composition presents a portrait of a woman framed by nautical elements, creating a distinct visual structure. Note how the artist uses color to divide and unify the image. The blue of her attire and the yacht club flag contrasts with the warm tones of her skin and hat, creating a chromatic balance. The use of linear elements to define the oars, ropes, and the frame around the portrait creates a sense of enclosure. This might suggest a desire to contain or define the image of the actress within certain cultural codes. Semiotically, the nautical symbols speak to themes of exploration, leisure, and status, embedding Mather within a narrative that is both celebratory and constructed. Ultimately, the print functions as a sign, mediating between Mather's identity and the values of the yacht club, all while advertising tobacco. It’s a reminder that images are not just aesthetic objects, but complex cultural texts.