Card 544, Lillie Howard, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 6) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card of Lillie Howard from the Actors and Actresses series made by Allen & Ginter. Its sepia tones give the card a feeling of warmth and nostalgia. The composition is carefully structured, using the actress’s seated pose to create a triangular form that stabilizes the image. This geometric underpinning provides a sense of order and balance, contrasting with the card's intended use as a promotional item. The sepia tone flattens the image, reducing the sense of depth and emphasizing the surface. This flatness draws attention to the card as an object, rather than just a representation. The semiotic interplay of the actress, the cigarette brand, and the cultural context creates a complex network of meanings. Lillie Howard's representation, framed within the commercial space of the cigarette card, blurs the boundaries between art, commerce, and identity. This challenges the conventional ways of understanding representation and value.