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

This is “Nina, from the Ballet Queens series (N182)” issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. This small lithograph presents a full-length portrait, dominated by a symmetrical composition and a vibrant, contrasting color scheme. The figure's attire, featuring a red jacket, gold bodice, and turquoise accents, creates a visual rhythm that is both decorative and slightly unsettling. The ballet queen holds a sword horizontally, bisecting the image and drawing attention to the tension between the implied action and the static nature of the portrait. The use of color and costume serves as a semiotic code, signaling spectacle and performance. Yet, the work challenges traditional notions of high art. Instead, its production as a collectible card democratizes art, integrating it into everyday life. The lithograph's formal elements destabilize conventional hierarchies, inviting ongoing interpretation.