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

This chromolithograph titled "Santa Monica, from the Fancy Bathers series" was issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. Here, the bathing costume with its horizontal stripes is more than mere fashion; it echoes the clothing of clowns, sailors, even convicts. These figures, often on the fringes of society, carry a liminal quality. The stripes, while simple, mark a state of transition. Consider the paintings of Picasso, where stripes often adorn figures caught in moments of deep introspection or emotional upheaval. The stripe becomes a visual shorthand for a soul in flux. Subconsciously, we recognize this pattern and project a narrative of personal transformation. The stripes bind her to a history of those on the margins, yet also suggest her movement towards liberation and self-discovery. This visual echo is a reminder that meaning is never fixed but rather a continuous, cyclical journey through the annals of time.