Dumbbell Exercise, from the Pretty Athletes series (N196) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

“Dumbbell Exercise” is a print issued by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of the “Pretty Athletes” series. These cards emerged in a period when societal expectations of women were beginning to shift, though still laced with contradictions. On one hand, women were encouraged towards domesticity and modesty. On the other hand, the late 19th century saw the rise of the “New Woman,” who advocated for education, independence, and physical activity. The image reflects these tensions: we see a woman engaged in weightlifting, a symbol of physical strength, yet her attire – the corset, the frills – feels almost theatrical, maintaining traditional ideals of femininity. It hints at the burgeoning interest in women's fitness but through a lens that still commodifies and sexualizes the female form. What does it mean to depict female strength within the confines of a male gaze? Consider what aspects of identity are highlighted, and what this reveals about the cultural values of the time.