Torquay, France, from the Surf Beauties series (N232), issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small chromolithograph, "Torquay, France, from the Surf Beauties series" was issued by Kinney Bros. It presents a woman in a red bathing suit against a sea-and-beach backdrop, its composition surprisingly provocative for its time. The chromatic intensity of the red, offset by the dark gloves and stockings, catches the eye immediately. The figure's assertive pose, leaning casually against a wooden post, challenges conventional portrayals of femininity. Note how the artist uses line and form to delineate the figure. The curve of her body, the angle of her stance—these elements create a dynamic tension, destabilizing the viewer's expectations. Consider the cultural codes at play here. The beach setting, the bathing suit, and the woman's confident demeanor all suggest a changing attitude towards leisure, gender roles, and public space. Kinney Brothers has given us a coded image of modern feminity, one that both reflects and shapes the cultural landscape of its time.