Belle Urquhart, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This photograph of Belle Urquhart is from the Actresses series created by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., a cigarette company. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, reveal much about the societal roles and perceptions of women in the late 19th century. Urquhart, like other actresses featured in these series, was both celebrated and commodified. Actresses occupied a precarious position; admired for their talent and beauty, yet often viewed with suspicion due to the transgressive nature of performing on stage. This image encapsulates that tension, presenting Urquhart as both a refined lady and a public figure, subtly challenging Victorian ideals of domesticity. The commercial use of Urquhart's image underscores issues of representation and agency. While she gained visibility, her image was also used to sell cigarettes, highlighting the intertwined relationship between commerce, gender, and identity in this period. What did it mean for Urquhart to have her identity so publicly consumed?