Sainte Brelade, from the Beautiful Bathers series (N192) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Curator: Ah, "Sainte Brelade, from the Beautiful Bathers series," created in 1889 by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. The medium includes drawing, colored pencil, and print techniques, residing now at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Quite the charming piece! Editor: Charming is one word for it. My first thought? A curious mix of vulnerability and, well, blatant marketing. It has a sort of candy-coated feeling about it. Curator: Marketing, absolutely. These were trading cards included in cigarette packs, hence the company’s name. But the vulnerability, I see it too. There's a delicate use of colored pencil here. Notice how the artist renders her skin tones with gentle stippling, almost pointillist. The soft blues and greens create a dreamlike setting around her. Editor: Dreamlike, or a little too saccharine? I’m snagged on the Ukiyo-e vibe mixed with Impressionistic brushstrokes and, ultimately, a portrait that seems more caricature than character study. There is a real tension between its artistic aspirations and its purpose as advertising. Curator: That tension, for me, is its appeal! Kimball & Co. were attempting to elevate their brand, associating it with art and beauty, a savvy move. The composition, though seemingly simple, draws the eye directly to her. Her slight smile, her poise… it’s an idealized vision of femininity. Also the theme reminds us that we are seeing the origin of gender marketing at work. Editor: Yes, that's all very present but… Her costume feels somewhat restricting, especially around the legs, which brings attention to body image and perception, topics that stay ever-present! But look at those socks – how modern this feels. Curator: It's funny how fashion and its implications resonate across time, isn’t it? Perhaps that's what makes this piece endure. A combination of artistry, marketing ingenuity, and timeless themes about beauty and commerce. Editor: So, is Sainte Brelade simply selling cigarettes or offering us a glimpse into late 19th-century ideals? It's all deliciously interwoven, isn't it? The push and pull fascinate me.