Photograph of a woman holding a foil

Carlsen new members 1.jpg

Creator

Burr McIntosh

Title

Photograph of a woman holding a foil

Coverage

Chicago

Publisher

American Plate and Picture Co.

Date

1902

Description

Contemporary viewers would have recognized the woman in this photograph as a fencer by her outfit as much as the weapon in her hand. This signature “uniform” of a white blouse with black sleeves emblazoned with a red heart on the chest, a belted black velvet skirt, stockings, and buckled shoes was popularized around the turn of the 20th century by Jean Béraud’s L’escrimeuse portrait paintings of 17th century French swordswoman Julie d’Aubigny.

Source

From the collection of Julie Carlsen