Creator
Burr McIntosh
Title
Photograph of a woman holding a foil
Coverage
Chicago
Publisher
American Plate and Picture Co.
Date
1902
Description
Hearts were popular adornments on fencing jackets in the late 19th century. These were purely decorative, but the symbol harkens back to the sport’s dueling origins: a thrust through the heart would be an immediate victory (i.e. the opponent’s death). Despite the violence behind it, a red heart over the left breast was increasingly associated with women fencers in popular culture in the 20th century. The heart on this photograph was added by hand.
Source
From the collection of Julie Carlsen