Bath, from the Beautiful Bathers series (N192) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This chromolithograph, issued by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co., is one of a series of cards titled "Beautiful Bathers." These cards were included in cigarette packs to encourage collecting, but they also speak to social and cultural shifts of the period. Made in America, these cards emerged during an era when ideas about leisure, health, and the female body were evolving. Note the bather’s outfit and the bright colors of the print; what we see here are some hints about emerging popular entertainments, such as seaside resorts, and how they were being promoted. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The female figure may indicate a shifting ideal of the female form, and the use of such images for marketing speaks volumes about the intertwining of commerce and leisure at the time. To further understand this artwork, we might consult business records, advertisements, and publications from the period to understand more about the place of women in society. This helps us appreciate how the image represents a moment of transition in American culture.