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

"Edita, from the Ballet Queens series", was created by William S. Kimball & Co. as a chromolithograph trade card. These cards emerged during a time of significant shifts in American culture, including industrialization and urbanization. As consumer culture blossomed, they became vehicles for advertising and reflected societal values. Note how Edita is represented: the card reflects the complex dynamics of gender, race, and class in the late 19th century. The ballet dancer depicted probably catered to a predominantly white, middle-class audience. Representations of women in dance were often highly gendered, emphasizing grace, beauty, and subservience. These trade cards often participated in constructing and reinforcing notions of femininity that both empowered and constrained women. As with many works of art, "Edita" serves as a fascinating window into the cultural values, stereotypes, and social dynamics of its time, offering insights into the complex interplay of identity, representation, and power in shaping individual and collective perceptions.