Margaret Mather in Costume of French Servant Girl of Rosporden, from the set Actors and Actresses, First Series (N70) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1889

This is a chromolithograph from the series "Actors and Actresses," created by W. Duke, Sons & Co., a cigarette brand. Here, the composition is neatly divided, framing Margaret Mather in her costume. Notice how the artist used a muted palette—soft blues, pinks, and whites—to convey a sense of gentle, almost dreamlike beauty. The lines are precise, particularly in the details of her headdress and collar, giving a structured formality. The costume is the focal point. This card functions as a sign, not just of Mather but of the exotic and the theatrical. The attire is not presented as everyday wear but as a performance, destabilizing the boundary between the actress and the role she plays. The piece operates on a visual economy, where each element contributes to the overall impact. It's a careful construction of image and identity that invites continuous interpretation.