Val Andre, France, from the Surf Beauties series (N232), issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Editor: This is “Val Andre, France, from the Surf Beauties series (N232)” by Kinney Bros., dating from 1889. It's a print; mostly drawing and photography, and is currently held at the Met. There's a really serene quality to this portrait of a woman by the sea...What's your take? Curator: This print offers a glimpse into the evolving representation of women and leisure in the late 19th century. While seemingly innocent, the “Surf Beauties” series actively participated in the commodification of female images. Editor: Commodification? How so? Curator: Tobacco companies like Kinney Bros. used these images as trading cards to sell products, contributing to the objectification and idealization of women. These images promoted a narrow, Eurocentric standard of beauty, reflecting the racial and colonial power structures of the time. Note the woman’s fair skin and European features - what message is that sending? Editor: So, it’s not just a pretty picture, it's a cultural artifact that promotes certain beauty standards... Curator: Exactly. Consider also how women's increasing participation in sports and outdoor activities was perceived then. On one hand, it signified progress, but it was simultaneously being packaged and consumed. The bright watercolor might hide it, but there are layers here. What do you think about that contrast? Editor: It makes you wonder about the message the company tried to convey... Curator: And how that message fits into the context of the time! This helps us recognize the complexities inherent in seemingly straightforward depictions of women in art and popular culture. It can remind us to look closer! Editor: Thanks. I'll definitely approach images like this with a different perspective now.