A photograph of a burlesque performer from the 1890s. Burlesque shows became incredibly popular during the 19th century as they displayed the female figure to a male audience used to seeing women whose forms were hidden by clothing such as crinolines. The modern form of burlesque was brought to America in the 1860s by Lydia Thompson with her group ‘The British Blondes’.
(via victorianfanguide)
