Hand mirror with woman in blue feathered hat, from the Novelties series (N122) issued by Gail & Ax Tobacco to promote Navy Long Cut 1889

This small chromolithograph from the Novelties series, was issued by Gail & Ax Tobacco. It depicts a hand mirror, framing a woman in profile wearing a blue feathered hat. The composition emphasizes symmetry and balance, characteristic of the late 19th-century aesthetic. The oval shape of the mirror encloses the soft curves of the woman's face and the elaborate plumage, creating a harmonious visual experience. The pastel palette, dominated by blues, pinks, and creams, contributes to a sense of refinement and femininity. The mirror itself acts as a frame within a frame, drawing attention to the constructed nature of beauty and representation. The woman’s gaze, directed away from the viewer, suggests introspection and a world of interiority. The use of color and line serves to idealize the subject, reinforcing societal norms of beauty and class. The image, while seemingly simple, engages with complex ideas about identity, representation, and the commodification of beauty in a rapidly changing society.