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

This is a photograph of Lora Monti from the Actors and Actresses series made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Monti is adorned with a headpiece featuring coins, a motif resonating with ancient symbols of wealth, prosperity, and even magical protection. We see echoes of this symbolism in other contexts, like the depiction of Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune, often shown with a cornucopia of coins. In both instances, we observe the persistent human desire to control destiny, where coins are not just currency but potent symbols of life's unpredictable fortunes. The coin headpiece creates a psychological bridge between the individual and the collective unconscious. In a constant cycle, these symbols and motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across historical contexts, reminding us of the enduring power of visual language.