[Seated actress, looking down], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This small photograph, part of a series by W. Duke, Sons & Co. from around 1900, captures an actress seated and gazing downward. The sepia tone imbues the image with a nostalgic quality, highlighting the textures of her elaborate costume. The composition is carefully structured, positioning the actress centrally, with her voluminous dress filling much of the frame. The soft focus and muted tones create a sense of depth, drawing the viewer's eye towards the subtle details of her attire. The dress, a complex layering of ruffles and lace, acts as a signifier of theatricality and artifice. This is a carefully constructed image, designed to present a particular image of femininity and performance. The actress's downward gaze adds to the sense of introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between public persona and private self. This tension between appearance and reality is a recurring theme in performance studies and speaks to broader cultural anxieties about authenticity and representation.