Kate Uart, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This photographic card of Kate Uart, Corsair Co. was produced by Allen & Ginter as part of a series of actresses featured on Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The sepia tone lends a nostalgic atmosphere, while Uart's theatrical garb, complete with feathered hat and miniature sword, presents a striking figure. Her pose is carefully constructed; the angle of her body, the placement of the sword, and the direct gaze create a dynamic tension within the limited space of the card. The composition employs a clear foreground-background structure, typical of staged portraits. Consider the semiotics at play here: Uart, the actress, is a signifier, her image tied to notions of beauty, performance, and consumer culture. The cigarette brand's name below becomes conflated with the allure of the actress, suggesting a convergence of fame, entertainment, and commerce. Ultimately, the card functions as a cultural artifact, a commercial object embedded with social meanings, reflecting the evolving relationship between art, advertising, and popular entertainment.