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

Editor: This is "Caracol," a print from the Actors and Actresses series, made between 1885 and 1891 for Virginia Brights Cigarettes by Allen & Ginter. It has a very sepia-toned, aged feel to it. What are your thoughts about this portrait? Curator: Well, it’s intriguing to consider this within the context of mass production and consumer culture. It wasn't created as “art” in the traditional sense but as a commercial product. It reflects how images of women, especially actresses, were being commodified and distributed through everyday goods like cigarettes. The material is photography transferred to print. That in itself lowers the supposed "aura" of art, making it accessible. Editor: So, you’re saying it’s not just about the portrait itself, but about its function as a collectible attached to a consumer item? Curator: Exactly! The value lies in the circulation of images and how that affects perceptions of beauty, celebrity, and even gender roles. Think about the laborers involved in producing these images en masse. And consider how something as intimate as a portrait becomes intertwined with a product intended for personal consumption, even addiction. What labor and materials went into creating such an inexpensive card meant to be disposed of after use? Editor: That makes me see it in a totally different light. It’s not just a pretty face; it’s a little piece of the industrial age! Curator: Precisely. Examining these objects helps us deconstruct hierarchies and better understand the impact of mass production on visual culture. We've started from the image of "Caracol" and are able to glimpse the larger forces that produced the card. Editor: I'll definitely be considering the labor and means of production behind artworks going forward. Curator: It’s a powerful way to look at art and its place in our world.