Parallel Bar, Walking, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This chromolithograph was created around the turn of the 20th century by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It presents a gymnast in mid-exercise, her form seemingly suspended between the parallel bars in a display of balance and control. The composition divides the space, the bars acting as a horizon line bisecting the figure and the speckled pale green background. There is a flattening of perspective and a tension between the implied depth and the surface of the print. The pink of her polka-dot leotard against the green stripes of her stockings creates an interplay of color and pattern. This image, while seemingly straightforward, engages with broader artistic and philosophical concerns regarding the representation of the body and its capabilities. It can be seen as part of a cultural moment grappling with new ways of thinking about space, perception, and power, reflecting both the aesthetic interests and the commercial strategies of its time. Ultimately, the chromolithograph serves not only as a visual document but also as an artifact that continues to invite interpretation.