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

This is a lithograph of Leila Farrell made for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. Tobacco companies often included collectible cards like this one in their products, using images of popular actresses to boost sales and appeal to consumers. The image of Leila Farrell presented here can tell us a lot about the cultural values of the time. The actress is depicted with an emphasis on beauty and elegance, conforming to the idealized image of women in the late 19th century. We might ask ourselves, what kind of social role is expected from women? And how does the imagery shape perceptions of gender and class? To fully understand the meaning of this artwork, we can look at the history of advertising and marketing in America. By doing so, we can contextualize it within a wider network of social and institutional forces that shaped American society.