Rose Rene, from the Actresses series (N246), Type 2, issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes 1888 - 1892

This photographic print of Rose Rene was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, as part of a series of actresses used to promote their Sporting Extra Cigarettes. Printed on a small card, its sepia tones reflect the early photographic processes used at the time. The image is a commodity, mass-produced to be included in cigarette packs, acting as both advertisement and collectible. Its inherent value lies not in artistic expression, but in the way it functions within a wider network of consumption and desire. The production of such an item speaks volumes about the nature of labor and class during this era, where even art was subsumed into the capitalist machine. It challenges our perception of value, urging us to consider the social and economic forces at play in the creation and circulation of images. This was a way to create desire and brand loyalty, with an almost throwaway object. Consider how these everyday images, far removed from the traditional art world, offer valuable insights into the cultural values and economic structures of their time.