Cora Macy, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This image of Cora Macy, from the Actresses series, was made by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Notice how Macy’s hairstyle—soft, voluminous curls swept atop her head—echoes the idealized feminine beauty found in earlier eras. We see its likeness in Botticelli’s Venus or perhaps even in ancient Greek sculptures of goddesses. This “unkempt” style draws upon a deeper collective memory, evoking notions of fertility and natural grace. Yet, this romantic allusion is subtly disrupted. Her gaze is direct, devoid of coyness. She seems to reclaim agency over her image, thus reflecting the changing role of women in society. We observe a cycle where symbols are reborn, carrying echoes of the past while adapting to mirror contemporary shifts. The image embodies a negotiation between timeless ideals and evolving identities.