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

This is Allen & Ginter's ‘Annie Summerville’ trading card, one of the Actors and Actresses series, printed on paper. The subdued sepia tones focus our attention on the figure, creating a study in contrasts, particularly between light and shadow. The composition hinges on the vertical lines of Annie Summerville’s attire, juxtaposed against the softness of the background. Her corset, with its exaggerated lines, not only defines her form but also creates a visual rhythm that guides the eye upward. Note how the artist plays with shape, compressing the waist to emphasize the curves of the bust and hips. This manipulation of form serves not just aesthetic purposes, but as a signifier of idealised beauty. The card functions as a cultural artefact, reflecting societal obsessions with image, performance, and commodification. Here, form is not divorced from content, but rather, inextricably linked to the social and cultural values it represents. The image invites ongoing dialogue about how beauty is constructed and perceived.