Nina Smith, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a photograph of Nina Smith from the Actors and Actresses series by Allen & Ginter, created to promote Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Note the umbrella she holds, a motif that extends far beyond mere sun protection. From ancient Egypt, where parasols symbolized status and divine protection, to its presence in Renaissance portraiture, the umbrella has long signified power and elegance. In Japan, the umbrella is often associated with the feminine and ephemeral nature of beauty, frequently appearing in Ukiyo-e prints. Think of Botticelli's Venus emerging from the sea, or even the protective dome held over the Buddha. The umbrella as a signifier of refuge has been used by artists across cultures. It appears and reappears in our collective psyche, each time adapting its guise, whether in the form of sun protection, or, as it does here, a symbol of aspiration.