Fanny Rice, from the Actresses series (N246), Type 2, issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes 1888 - 1892

This is a photograph of Fanny Rice, from the Actresses series, produced by Kinney Brothers to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes. Observe how Fanny Rice wears a hat adorned with flowers. This motif of the floral headdress, which can be traced back to ancient rituals and fertility rites, resurfaces throughout history, adorning figures of nymphs and goddesses in classical art. Think of Botticelli’s Primavera, a Renaissance painting where Flora, the goddess of spring, scatters blossoms, embodying renewal and the cyclical nature of life. The image of a woman adorned with flowers taps into our collective memory, triggering subconscious associations with nature, beauty, and ephemeral existence. This archetype has a profound emotional resonance, representing the eternal dance of life, death, and rebirth. The image persists, evolving through time, yet retaining its primal essence. It reveals the power of symbols to transcend temporal boundaries, engaging viewers on a deeply emotional and psychological level.