Mlle. Muller, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a tobacco card, likely from the late 19th century, featuring Mlle. Muller of Paris, produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards were immensely popular, inserted into cigarette packs to stiffen them and, of course, to encourage collecting and brand loyalty. The image is a window into the world of entertainment and celebrity of the time, and the emergent advertising industry. Consider the politics of imagery at play here. The pose, the costume – all carefully constructed to project an image of allure and sophistication. But it also speaks volumes about the social conditions that shaped artistic production. Historians delve into sources like trade journals, company records, and sociological studies of consumer culture, helping us to understand the public role of art at the time. It's a reminder that art exists within – and actively shapes – its social and institutional context.