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

This photograph of Mlle. Negg was produced by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of the Actresses series. Note the rather masculine attire: the laced boots and patterned skirt which evoke a kind of martial prowess, contrasting with her delicate tiara and necklace. The image's power lies in the performance of gender. Consider the long history of cross-dressing in theater, particularly the breeches role where women take on male roles, challenging conventional notions of gender and desire. Think of Rosalind in Shakespeare’s "As You Like It," who disguises herself as a man, Ganymede, thus gaining freedom and agency. This motif of the empowered woman, adorned yet assertive, resurfaces throughout art history, sometimes subtly, sometimes boldly. It speaks to our collective subconscious, where fixed identities blur, inviting us to reflect on the fluid nature of identity.