Parallel Bar, Handspring, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This small card, made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., depicts a gymnast performing a handspring on parallel bars. The image captures more than just a physical feat; it embodies the spirit of human potential. We see the body inverted, a motif resonant with profound symbolic weight throughout history. Think of the Hanged Man in Tarot, a figure suspended upside down, symbolizing sacrifice and a different perspective. This motif goes back to medieval depictions of the martyrdom of St. Peter. Here, the gymnast’s controlled inversion is a display of mastery, a symbol of overcoming physical limitations. Yet, the image also hints at the precarious nature of human existence, a balance between control and vulnerability. It's a testament to how ancient symbols resurface in everyday life, carrying the echoes of collective memory and subconscious desires into new contexts.