Long Beach, from the Beautiful Bathers series (N192) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This chromolithograph of ‘Long Beach’ was produced by William S. Kimball & Co. Here, the bather’s parasol is a fascinating emblem. Across cultures, umbrellas have symbolized power, shelter, and status. Think of ancient Near Eastern rulers depicted with parasols, signifying divine protection and authority. In Buddhism, the umbrella represents compassion and protection from suffering. Now, observe how the function has shifted. No longer purely symbolic, in this image, it offers practical protection from the sun. Yet, remnants of its symbolic weight linger. The parasol evokes a sense of leisure and privilege, subtly hinting at the bather's social standing. The act of seeking shade, or sunlight for that matter, taps into our primal connection to nature's elements. It triggers a deeply rooted, collective memory of our ancestors' dependence on and reverence for the sun and its life-giving energy. As we gaze at the bather, we are not merely observing a fashionable woman; we are subconsciously engaging with a rich tapestry of cultural and psychological associations.