Loie Fuller, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This small card, made by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., presents Loie Fuller, an actress of the time. The sepia tones and the compact format immediately suggest an artifact, an object from another era. Fuller's figure is centrally positioned, yet the composition seems to pull in multiple directions, destabilizing any clear focus. Note how her elaborate costume and pose create a complex interplay of light and shadow across the image. The layers of fabric she holds disrupt the symmetry, causing a visual tension that animates the whole card. This tension reflects Fuller's own performance style, where movement and light were used to question fixed notions of the body and identity. Here, the image, like her performances, explores the fluid boundaries between the body, costume, and setting. Consider how this small card becomes not just a portrait, but a symbol of transformation, challenging the viewer to reconsider traditional representations of the female form.