Woman holding fan (on brown silk), from the Girl Art Subjects series (N193) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1887 - 1894

Editor: Here we have *Woman holding fan (on brown silk)* from the *Girl Art Subjects* series, a print made by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. sometime between 1887 and 1894. The soft tones give it a gentle, almost faded feel, like a cherished memory. What's your take on this piece? Curator: The intriguing thing here is not just the aesthetic appeal, which clearly borrows from Japonisme, but the context. Kimball was a cigarette company. How do we reconcile art with commercial advertising in the late 19th century? Were these images seen as disposable ephemera, or did they have a different public role? Editor: So it’s advertising? That shifts my perception quite a bit. Did people collect these sorts of things? Curator: Exactly! That’s a vital question. Kimball was directly shaping the cultural landscape by injecting these images, depicting idealized femininity, into everyday life through cigarette packaging. Think about the implicit messages being sent to consumers about the brand and women. Does this influence how we perceive its artistic merit? Editor: It’s clever actually, using “high art” to sell a product. Was this common? Curator: Fairly so. But notice how Kimball frames "Girl Art Subjects." They’re literally *subjecting* women to the male gaze and, simultaneously, capitalist exploitation. Post-Impressionism also plays with the subjectivity of images. Do you think it matters who the subject is in relation to that gaze? Editor: I see your point! Now I’m not just seeing a pretty portrait, but also a piece of social commentary, unintentionally maybe. It highlights the intersection of art, commerce, and the social role of women. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Precisely! The art isn't simply in the image but also in understanding how its consumption was socially constructed.