Lillian Smith, Champion Female Glass Ball Shot, from the Champions of Games and Sports series (N184, Type 2) issued by W.S. Kimball & Co. 1887

This small chromolithograph portrays Lillian Smith, the celebrated glass ball shooter, produced by W.S. Kimball & Co. Observe the figure of Lillian, gun raised, poised to shatter a glass ball mid-air, a scene of skill and precision. This act of marksmanship, however, carries echoes of ancient hunting rituals and the symbolic triumph over nature. Consider the repeating motif of aiming and striking. From Apollo's arrows to Saint Sebastian's martyrdom, the act of targeting with projectile weapons permeates our cultural memory. These images trigger a visceral reaction, tapping into our primal understanding of power, vulnerability, and the hunt. The breaking of glass, too, carries significance – fragility, the shattering of illusions, or perhaps even the fleeting nature of fame itself. The image of Lillian Smith is not merely a celebration of skill; it’s a powerful engagement with deep-seated human instincts and historical narratives.