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

Editor: Here we have a sepia-toned portrait of Lilly Elton, taken sometime between 1885 and 1891. It's from a series called "Actors and Actresses" by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The figure has a sort of dreamy quality to it. How would you interpret this as a drawing, print, and photograph hybrid? Curator: Considering this work's genesis in cigarette advertising, we must ask how it functions as both art and commodity. What's striking is the deliberate conflation of high-culture portraiture with mass-produced advertising. The 'drawing, print, and photography hybrid' speaks to this, relying on reproducible technologies to distribute this image across a wide consumer base. How does this impact the value we place on this image today? Editor: That's a really good point. I guess I hadn't considered the commercial intention behind what I initially saw as an artistic piece. It really challenges traditional notions of fine art. The way it's created clearly is deeply linked to ideas of industry. Curator: Precisely! And who is Lilly Elton? Understanding her status as an actress at the time offers insight into the values these cigarettes were attempting to associate with their brand. Think about the materiality of this card – the paper stock, the printing process – each element carefully chosen to convey a specific message about luxury and aspiration to its consumers. Editor: So, beyond the aesthetic appeal, we're also looking at a snapshot of Victorian marketing tactics and consumer culture, with layers of material intent? Curator: Absolutely. The artwork's significance lies as much in its construction and consumption as in its artistic merit. What did you think you originally missed from my perspective? Editor: How crucial it is to remember the labor involved in its creation, not just of the art itself but also of production as part of cigarette advertising! It highlights connections between culture, commerce, and even labor exploitation of the era.