Mlle. Narreys, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a trade card of Mlle. Narreys, printed by Goodwin & Company as part of the Actors and Actresses series for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tone lends a timeless quality to the card, giving it a patina of age that is typical of photographs from this era. Mlle. Narreys is presented in profile, emphasizing the delicate contours of her face and the soft waves of her hair. Her gaze is directed off frame, inviting the viewer to imagine what she might be looking at. The composition is simple, yet elegant, focusing attention on the actress and her serene expression. This card disrupts the conventional art world by blurring the lines between art, commerce and popular culture. The mass-produced nature of these cards challenges the notion of the unique art object, instead embedding art within everyday life. The image uses a semiotic system of signs to communicate not just her likeness, but also the aspirational lifestyle associated with fame and the consumption of Old Judge Cigarettes.