Nina Monti, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 3) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card showing Nina Monti, from the Actors and Actresses series, was made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards were hugely popular in the late 19th century as promotional items, and they offer a glimpse into the social and cultural values of the time. This image isn't just a portrait; it's a carefully constructed representation of femininity and celebrity. Produced in America, the card reflects the growing commercialization of culture. The Virginia Brights company was using the popularity of actresses like Nina Monti to sell cigarettes, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and entertainment. We have here a kind of commodification of beauty, which speaks to broader economic and social shifts in the Gilded Age. To truly understand this image, we can delve into the archives of advertising history, theater ephemera, and business records. By looking at such resources, we can appreciate how the visual arts, and indeed our understanding of it, is so dependent on the institutions that shape it.