Mdlle. Violet, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This is a photograph of Mdlle. Violet, made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Printed on card stock, using ink, it’s an early example of mass media – and a reminder that even something as seemingly innocuous as a trading card can have complex cultural implications. Consider the way this photograph was made, in a factory setting, part of a giant print run. The image itself captures a performer, posed in a way that emphasizes her appeal. But it’s all being offered to you as part of a transaction. You buy the cigarettes; you get the image. What kind of labor went into this? What kind of labor is being represented? What are you being sold, exactly? Ultimately, this card is a potent reminder that everything we consume, even images, has a material history and social context. Examining these aspects allows us to look beyond the surface and understand the full complexity of this artwork.