Ellen Terry, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional card for Duke Cigarettes, likely created between 1870 and 1920, featuring the actress Ellen Terry. The monochrome image invites a formal analysis, where the structure of composition and form convey a deliberate message. Ellen Terry is positioned off-center, with soft, flowing lines dominating. Her dress drapes loosely, creating a sense of movement. Her gaze is directed downward which adds to the introspective mood. The overall composition can be interpreted through a semiotic lens. The image, a cultural artifact of its time, uses Terry's celebrity as a signifier for the Duke Cigarettes brand. It suggests qualities such as elegance, beauty, and sophistication. By associating these values with their product, Duke Cigarettes aims to elevate the brand's status. The formal qualities of the card--its size, monochrome palette, and the sitter's wistful gaze--function as visual cues that communicate cultural values related to celebrity endorsement and consumer desire. We can appreciate how this small card operated within a broader network of signs and cultural meanings.