Verona, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a promotional card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, featuring an actress named Verona. The sepia tone flattens the image, reducing depth and emphasizing the figure's silhouette. The actress is captured mid-gesture; her extended arm and tilted pose suggest movement, yet the monochrome palette freezes her in time. Her dress, adorned with layers and geometric patterns, adds texture to the composition. The use of varied patterns creates a visual rhythm. The card's function as an advertisement is evident in the prominent text at the bottom, framing Verona as an object of desire and aspiration, subtly conflating the allure of the actress with that of the product. The rigid vertical format further underscores the commodification of both art and entertainment. This card invites us to consider how the structures of commerce and representation intersect.