The first in 54 is a reference to a famous painting by the French artist Henri Matisse. The painting, titled "The Dance" was painted in 1909, and is a seminal work of modern art that is often used to represent the beginnings of abstract art. The painting depicts five nude female figures in a circle, with the first of them often referred to as "the first in 54". The painting has become a beloved part of art history, and is seen as a symbol of joy, vitality, and life.