Hollander Dancer, from the Dancing Women series (N186) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This is a chromolithograph of a 'Hollander Dancer', from the 'Dancing Women' series, produced by William S. Kimball & Co. The card was one of many that circulated widely in the late 19th-century as advertising premiums for tobacco products. These cards offer a window into the cultural landscape of the time, reflecting and shaping popular perceptions of women and different cultures. The woman is depicted in a costume intended to evoke a sense of Dutch identity, though filtered through an American lens. In assessing the image, we might ask what visual codes are being employed here? How does it rely on stereotypes and exoticism to sell its product? It's worth noting that these cards were often collected and traded, indicating they had value as commodities. Examining trade catalogs, company records, and social histories of the period can shed light on these images and the economic and cultural forces that gave them meaning. Appreciating such artwork is contingent on an understanding of social and institutional context.