Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, from the Goddesses of the Greeks and Romans series (N188) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This chromolithograph of Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, was created by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. The composition, framed within sharp rectangular borders, layers the figure of Iris against a stylized rainbow and sky. The goddess, rendered with soft pastels, holds a staff, while her pose suggests a gentle inclination towards the viewer. The colors, predominantly warm tones, create a harmonious, almost ethereal, atmosphere. The structural arrangement of the image invites us to consider the semiotics of mythological representation. The rainbow, typically a symbol of hope and promise, is here flattened into bands of color, reducing its naturalistic impact. Iris herself is idealized, reflecting 19th-century aesthetic values. Consider how the commercial function of this card intersects with classical iconography. The piece acts as a signifier, not just of Iris, but of the values associated with her mythology. These images are always in flux, open to continuous interpretation.