Ethel Guy, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This is a photograph from the Actresses series (N203), issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. Here, Ethel Guy reclines in costume, holding a riding crop. The riding crop, a long, slender stick, appears throughout history as a symbol of power and authority. We see it in equestrian portraits of nobles and military leaders, a clear signifier of control and mastery. Yet, its presence here is more nuanced. Consider the image of a scepter, an object used for formal symbolic communication, which echoes back to ancient times. In antiquity, the scepter was associated with gods and kings, representing their divine right to rule. The riding crop, while functional, mirrors this tradition, evoking similar feelings of control. The riding crop has evolved, shifting from the hands of rulers to those of performers like Ms. Guy, reflecting a broader distribution of power and influence, and resurfacing in new contexts. It is not merely a tool, but a deeply embedded cultural artifact.