From the series "Sports Girls" (C190), issued by the American Cigarette Company, Ltd., Montreal, to promote Gloria Cigarettes 1885 - 1895

This chromolithograph was created as a promotional item for Gloria Cigarettes by the American Cigarette Company. The figure of the woman jockey presents a fascinating nexus of symbols. Her riding crop, for instance, is a symbol of power and control, yet it speaks to a much deeper cultural memory. Consider the scepter, an emblem of royal authority since antiquity. The riding crop, in this light, is its descendant, a more democratized, modern symbol of mastery. Yet, look at how she holds the crop with such delicacy! This gesture evokes a complex interplay of control and restraint. In classical art, similar gestures can be found in depictions of muses or goddesses. In our collective subconscious, the act of holding an object is a powerful force, engaging us on a deep, psychological level. This symbol, in its non-linear progression, resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, reflecting the changing currents of history.