Saltarello, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Editor: So, this is “Saltarello, from National Dances” created in 1889 by Kinney Bros., part of a series of prints. The dancer’s pose, with those colorful shawls, looks like a memory, perhaps of a celebratory dance? What do you see here? Curator: The “Saltarello”, beyond the vibrant colours, evokes a yearning for cultural continuity. See how the dancer, seemingly caught mid-motion, embodies not just a physical act, but also a vessel of tradition, gesturing almost like passing a secret across generations? Editor: I can see that. She's like an icon of the dance itself. Why this dance and why represent it this way? Curator: Think about what a "national dance" signifies in 1889. It's more than entertainment; it is about consolidating a national identity through shared cultural expression. The woman becomes a symbolic carrier. Are we seeing her individuality or a symbol *of* Italy, of Italianess? Editor: That's fascinating – seeing her as more symbol than individual. Her costume, particularly, feels intentional. Curator: Precisely. Each piece of attire—the headscarf, the patterned shawl, the specific cut of her dress—functions as a visual code. It silently narrates regional affiliations and social roles. The bright colours themselves were markers of status, prosperity. Are they truthful depictions, or stylized for a northern, Anglo-Saxon, viewership? Editor: That really reframes how I see the piece. What was made to celebrate a specific national culture is filtered through commercial imperatives. Thank you. Curator: Yes. It invites us to reflect on cultural preservation, representation, and who controls the narrative, in both obvious and subtle ways.