Leila Farrell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This photograph of Leila Farrell, part of the Actors and Actresses series for Old Judge Cigarettes, captures a performer posed against a classical pillar. The pillar itself, adorned with relief figures reminiscent of ancient friezes, evokes a sense of timelessness and historical weight. Consider the column as a symbol, its echoes reverberate through time. From the pillars of ancient temples, supporting the heavens and the gods, to their appearance in Renaissance paintings as emblems of strength and stability, the column’s presence here is not merely structural. It is a conscious appropriation of classical ideals, connecting Leila Farrell to a lineage of artistry and cultural significance. This visual association subtly elevates her status, imbuing her image with the dignity and prestige of antiquity, even as it serves the modern purpose of advertising. The enduring nature of symbols allow them to be recontextualized, their meanings evolving, yet still anchored in the collective memory.