Saddle Vaulting, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This cigarette card, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., depicts a woman performing saddle vaulting. Her posture is striking; she leans forward, hands firmly gripping the vault, a pose reminiscent of ancient Greek depictions of athletes, figures embodying strength, grace, and classical ideals. Consider how the theme of athleticism transcends mere physical exercise. In antiquity, the athletic body symbolized cultural and spiritual values. This card, seemingly a simple advertisement, taps into a deep-seated cultural memory. The woman's attire, with its playful bows, creates a tension between athleticism and femininity. The vault itself may remind us of altars or stages, hinting at performance and transformation, themes deeply rooted in human psychology. This image, like so many, engages our subconscious, revealing how symbols persist and evolve, echoing through time.