Favette, from the Ballet Queens series (N182) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Editor: So this is "Favette," from the Ballet Queens series, printed around 1889 by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. It's a print, a kind of drawing. I’m immediately struck by its… charm, I guess. It’s small, but the colors pop. What’s your take? How do you see this work? Curator: Charm is a good word. For me, it's a glimpse into a world that’s both frivolous and fascinating. Think about the time: late 19th century, industrialization chugging along, and suddenly, these cards appear featuring… ballerinas! Almost like a proto-Instagram. This was a consumer item, right? A piece of ephemera packaged with tobacco. And that pose – so theatrical, so posed. Editor: The heart detail, on her skirt, almost feels…modern? A bit cheeky? Curator: Precisely! The heart, the fan, the rather daring costume…it’s all carefully constructed to titillate. What’s interesting to me is how it balances artistic aspirations with the demands of commercial appeal. Think about that push and pull! Is this “high” art or clever advertising? Does it even matter? Editor: It makes you wonder about the intended audience, their aspirations, their… desires. So much is left unsaid. Curator: Exactly! And that’s what makes it so evocative. These little prints opened windows, however small, into glamorous, performative worlds, even if those windows were mostly smoke and mirrors… from a cigarette pack. What do you make of her expression? Editor: Hmmm. Confident, maybe? Almost knowing? As if she understands she's putting on a show. And perhaps, so are we all! Curator: I love that! An actress on stage in a card – what could be better! I might want to explore the artist's perspective in the context of celebrity and commodification. So, what does this make you think about going forward? Editor: I’m thinking I need to research cigarette cards. Seriously! And the representation of women in popular culture during this era.