Fireman, from the Occupations for Women series (N166) for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes 1887

Editor: So, this is "Fireman," a coloured-pencil and etching print from 1887 by Goodwin & Company, part of the "Occupations for Women" series. Honestly, I’m immediately struck by how... cheeky it is! The firefighter outfit is, let's just say, unconventionally revealing. What’s your take? Curator: Oh, utterly! It's the kind of image that winks at you across the decades. This wasn’t exactly about celebrating women in the workforce, was it? These cigarette cards were all about catching your eye, grabbing attention, and selling dreams – maybe even a little escapism. The high drama of a fireman combined with a certain… idealized figure. Does the suggestion of both rescue and 'erotic art' feel at all conflicting to you, though? Editor: Absolutely! It's this bizarre mix of empowerment and objectification. Was there a particular cultural context that led to these depictions of women? Curator: Absolutely! It's the Victorian era playing peek-a-boo! They're caught between the constraints of the era and a burgeoning… shall we say, awareness of the female form. It's also clever advertising; associate smoking with boldness, allure. Do you think they succeeded? Editor: Well, here we are, still talking about it, right? There is clearly a subversive approach to push cultural buttons through erotic suggestion. Curator: Exactly, an enduring testament, perhaps, to the complexities, ironies, and ambiguities present when social norms and art mix. This piece certainly gives one plenty to ponder!