Leg Swing, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This small paper card, printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co., displays a woman performing a "leg swing" on a trapeze. The image is part of a series of gymnastic exercises, a celebration of physical culture, and a nod to the body's potential. Consider the inversion, a recurring motif in art. In tarot, an inverted figure can signify letting go of old patterns, or a moment of release. We see echoes of this in medieval depictions of the Hanged Man, or in classical images of figures suspended upside down, undergoing transformations. Here, this posture speaks to a moment of risk-taking and potential rebirth, where equilibrium is disrupted. Think of the emotional impact: the daring, momentary suspension, evoking both anxiety and exhilaration. Such symbols and gestures resonate with a collective memory, where physical expression becomes a form of silent, powerful communication. The "leg swing," then, is not merely an acrobatic feat but a symbol that transcends time, connecting us to ancient archetypes of transformation and the potent, subconscious forces that shape our understanding.