Block Island, Rhode Island, from the Surf Beauties series (N232), issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

"Block Island, Rhode Island, from the Surf Beauties series" was issued by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in the late 19th century. This colorful chromolithograph speaks volumes about the era's changing social mores and the evolving image of women. At a time when Victorian ideals still held sway, this trading card signaled new freedoms. The woman's bathing costume, while modest by today's standards, hints at a growing acceptance of female athleticism and visibility in public spaces. Yet, it is impossible to ignore how such images, mass-produced for commercial purposes, also participated in the objectification and commodification of women. The "Surf Beauties" series presents an idealized, almost mythical vision of femininity, one that catered to the male gaze while subtly acknowledging women's increasing independence. Consider this artwork as a delicate balancing act—navigating the tensions between liberation and objectification, public image and personal identity.