Mlle. Secroix, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

Goodwin & Company produced this photograph, "Mlle. Secroix, Paris," as part of a series of promotional cards for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tones lend a nostalgic air to the image, with the actress positioned against a blurred background. The composition is striking for its focus on form, with Mlle. Secroix posed to emphasize the curves of her body. The high contrast in areas sculpts the figure, drawing attention to the structure beneath the surface. This play of light and shadow can be seen as a semiotic device, signaling cultural ideals of beauty and femininity. The small scale invites an intimate viewing experience, while the commercial context of the piece complicates its artistic interpretation. Consider how the formal elements of the photograph—its tonality, composition, and texture—work together to create a narrative that is both aesthetic and deeply embedded in the socio-cultural values of its time. The image exists within a matrix of signs and symbols, and its meaning is continuously negotiated by viewers across different eras.