Portrait of woman, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small, round portrait of a woman is from the Novelties series, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer a glimpse into the cultural values and aesthetics of their time. The woman’s soft features and coy smile reflect the idealized image of femininity prevalent at the turn of the century, designed to appeal to the male gaze. Her fair skin and delicate features subtly reinforce prevailing standards of beauty, which often excluded women of color. While seemingly innocuous, these images played a role in shaping and reinforcing societal norms around gender and race. The mass production and distribution of these cards meant that these images became pervasive, influencing perceptions of beauty and identity. Consider, as you look, how these seemingly harmless portraits contributed to the construction of identity and the perpetuation of social norms.