Miss Fortes, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This photographic card of Miss Fortes, an actress, was printed by Duke Sons & Co. as a cigarette insert around the turn of the century. The subject’s demure gaze is framed by cascading waves and carefully arranged curls, capturing the allure of the stage. Notice the prominent curl positioned on her forehead: this small detail can be traced back through centuries of art. From classical depictions of gods and heroes, we see similar motifs of power and beauty, rendered in the locks of hair. Consider the "Alexander Mosaic" from Pompeii, where Alexander the Great sports a comparable curl, symbolizing leadership and charisma. This curl is not merely decorative; it’s a condensed symbol, subconsciously resonating with viewers through a collective memory of heroism and dramatic flair. Its presence in Miss Fortes's portrait elevates her, linking her to a lineage of iconic figures and tapping into our innate attraction to archetypes.