Rose Beaudet as "The Kitchen Belle," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

Editor: Here we have Rose Beaudet depicted as "The Kitchen Belle," in this rather curious drawing from 1889 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. I believe it’s colored pencil on paper, originally a cigarette card. There's a definite playfulness here... a saucepan as a hat, a spoon pinned with carrots... What strikes you about it? Curator: Well, first off, darling, isn't it wonderfully absurd? A celebration of domesticity turned on its head! I love how the everyday becomes costume. It speaks to the late 19th century’s fascination with masquerade and transforming the mundane. And do you notice how her gaze avoids us? Almost like she's in on a secret joke. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it, about the playful yet perhaps restrictive roles assigned to women then? Editor: It does make you wonder. I hadn’t considered the restrictive element so much. It’s interesting you interpret her averted gaze as part of a 'secret joke', I initially read it as more coy or demure. Curator: Perhaps both interpretations can be true! The coy maiden winking at the absurd conventions swirling around her. Look closely at the colours; muted pastels... pinks, light blues… what feeling do they evoke for you? Are these the colours of revolution or something gentler? Editor: Mmm, good question, perhaps 'gentle subversion' might be more appropriate here, considering the medium and context. What do you think makes this work stand out among others of the period? Curator: For me, it's the way it manages to be both frivolous and quietly questioning at the same time. It's a confection with a surprising bite! Something to mull over between puffs of your cigarette, eh? Editor: Indeed. I will think of Rose Beaudet, the 'Kitchen Belle', a bit differently from now on. Thanks for shedding light on the complexities woven into this drawing.