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

This chromolithograph, printed by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co., presents us with a fashionable bather. The most curious motif is her hand gently laid upon her chest, a gesture that echoes across centuries. We find this pose in ancient depictions of Venus Pudica, the modest Venus, a symbol of feminine virtue and allure. Here, in this modern bather, the gesture takes on a new resonance. Is it modesty, flirtation, or perhaps a subtle commentary on the commodification of the female form in an era of burgeoning consumer culture? Consider how gestures carry emotional weight, traversing epochs. This motif of the hand upon the chest is not static; it evolves, reflecting the anxieties, desires, and cultural shifts of each age. It speaks to our collective memory, where archetypes resurface, transformed yet familiar, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, provoking introspection, and questioning societal norms.