Existing comment:
Untitled, from the series Barbie1998 Polaroid Polacolor ER Land Film
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor
2017.32.30
Ruth and Elliot Handler, the founders of Mattel, introduced Barbie to the American public in 1959. Designed to resemble postwar ideals of feminine beauty and echo middle-class American values, Barbie looked like a glamorous and mature girl next door. Her early outfits reflected the cultural expectations and aspirations of her consumers–from tennis and ballet skirts to senior prom and wedding gowns. In an effort to further conform to social conventions of the day, Mattel introduced Barbie's boyfriend, Ken, in 1961. Levinthal's photograph of the couple underscores the idea of Ken as an obligatory accessory, born of an era when women were still largely supported by men. |