Card Number 123, Miss Summerville, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: This is Card Number 123, "Miss Summerville," from the Actors and Actresses series, a photographic print made in the 1880s by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as an advertisement for Cross Cut Cigarettes. It's striking how overtly performative and… commodified her image is. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a complex intersection of gender, commerce, and the male gaze, operating within the constraints of the late 19th century. Note the blatant advertising embedded within the image, reducing Miss Summerville to a mere selling point for cigarettes. Editor: Yes, her body seems so emphasized… almost weaponized, to sell this product. Curator: Precisely. How does the artist, or rather the company, use her image to promote consumption? Think about the role of women in advertising at that time. This image is a commodity *and* a representation. Who is being targeted? Editor: Men, clearly. The ad seems designed to appeal to male desires and societal expectations. It's unsettling how Miss Summerville is presented for male consumption, like the cigarettes. I wonder how much agency she had over this representation of herself? Curator: That’s the critical question, isn't it? We can explore how power dynamics and social norms limited women's autonomy during that era. The hypersexualization isn't just about selling cigarettes. It's a reflection of deeply ingrained patriarchal values, wouldn't you say? Editor: Definitely. Understanding that helps decode so much of this seemingly simple portrait. Curator: And perhaps invites reflection about similar representation in contemporary media and advertising, as well. Editor: I didn’t think I would have *that* much to say about a cigarette card, but thinking about agency and the male gaze is eye-opening. Curator: Exactly! Questioning historical context helps to see art's resonance within cultural paradigms and their lasting influence.