Female Skier

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Female Skier** *Webster Company, ca.1900* Containers; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stephen W. Br and Carol B. Br Step into the early 20th century withFemale Skier*, a container crafted by the Webster around 1900. This piece, housed in the Smithsonian American Art's collection, exemplifies the era's blend of functionality and decorative flair. As a container—likely a metal tin or box—its surface features a vivid depiction of a woman gliding gracefully on skis, capturing the thrill of an emerging winter sport. At the turn of the century, skiing was gaining popularity in America, inspired by Scandinavian traditions and Olympic aspirations. Webster Company, known for producing everyday goods, used lithographic printing techniques to adorn these containers, turning utilitarian objects into accessible art. This reflects the Gilded Age's commercial creativity, where advertising and design merged to celebrate modern leisure activities like skiing, often targeting a growing middle class eager for outdoor adventures. Though research on this piece is ongoing, its presence in the Smithsonian highlights its role in American material culture. Donated by collectors Stephen W. and Carol B. Brener, it invites us to appreciate how everyday items preserved snapshots of history, evoking the crisp air and pioneering spirit of winter sports a century ago.

About the Artist

Webster Company (American|American|American) · 1835 |1861 |1800 –1910 |1933 |1900

American, Florida, Missouri 1835–1910 Hartford, Connecticut|American, Sacramento, California 1861–1933 Ridgefield, Connecticut|New York, NY