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

Editor: This print, “Louis XVth Dancer,” from the Dancing Women series by William S. Kimball & Co., dates back to 1889. I’m struck by the almost cartoonish, exaggerated style; the colors and lines remind me a bit of Impressionism, but with a twist. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: The whole piece reverberates with artifice. Note how the "dancer’s" features are delicately rendered, yet the exaggerated pose and elaborate costume point towards a stylized performance, rather than reality. What do you make of the theatrical costuming set against what otherwise could be considered regular streetwear? Editor: It feels like the artist is trying to subvert expectations – making something elegant a little absurd, almost poking fun at the high society of the Louis XV era. Do you think that reading holds up? Curator: Absolutely. It serves as a modern commentary on the enduring image of the aristocracy. The figure carries a cane, but it’s more like a prop, like their status itself, supported by artifice. Consider, also, how the image functions within a larger series; together they may aim to challenge perceptions of historical ideals by re-contextualizing imagery with each panel’s slight variation. It serves as cultural memory made comical. Does that resonate with you? Editor: Definitely. Thinking of it that way makes me see how loaded each element becomes. The "dancer’s" presentation as caricature is not just amusing but socially insightful. It highlights the constructed nature of identity and power. Curator: Precisely. And these kinds of seemingly simple images are ripe with historical and social critique! The power of the symbol, indeed!