Card Number 165, Tobogganing, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: This is Card Number 165, “Tobogganing,” from the Actors and Actresses series, dating to the 1880s. It's a promotional piece made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It features two figures enjoying a winter activity. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: I see a fascinating study in tonal values. The limited range of sepia tones creates a subtle, almost ethereal atmosphere. Note how the composition emphasizes a diagonal line formed by the toboggan's trajectory. This implied movement contrasts beautifully with the stillness of the subjects’ posed expressions. Editor: The subjects do seem a bit rigid for people who are supposed to be having fun! Is there significance in that? Curator: Precisely. The rigid poses are less about realism and more about the formal qualities of the image. Consider how their placement contributes to the overall structure. The foreground figure acts as an anchor, while the background figure provides depth. It also shows the artist working within the limitations of the medium, using a deliberate approach to pose and composition. Editor: It’s interesting how much the formal construction dictates the feel of the piece. It’s less about winter fun and more about geometric relationships. Curator: Yes, one might argue the 'fun' aspect is merely a pretext. Focus instead on the interplay of light and shadow and the artist's orchestration of forms. These aspects constitute the essence of this intriguing work. Editor: I see it differently now, thanks to your focus on those visual elements. Curator: It's through this close visual examination that we reveal the deeper significance embedded in what may at first glance appear simple.