Watch Hill, Rhode Island, from the Surf Beauties series (N232), issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This chromolithograph of "Watch Hill, Rhode Island," from the "Surf Beauties" series, was issued by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company in the late 19th century. The image presents a woman in a bathing suit, and reflects how the rise of commercial culture shaped social norms and gender roles. The image’s visual codes are rooted in the burgeoning advertising industry of the time. During this period, the commodification of leisure and beauty ideals became increasingly intertwined, shaping the public's perception of women. The image is a reminder of how corporate entities like Kinney Bros. influenced culture through mass-produced images. Institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, by collecting such items, play a crucial role in preserving and interpreting this history. Understanding this image requires delving into archives of advertising history and popular culture to reveal the social conditions that shaped its creation.