Card 524, Miss Behr, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 6) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trading card of Miss Behr, one of the actresses featured in a series by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. What strikes me most is her elaborate hat, adorned with what appears to be an abundance of flowers, echoing the style of Renaissance portraits. This headdress speaks volumes about the era's fascination with beauty and artifice. The flower, since antiquity, is a signifier of beauty and fragility, a potent symbol of transient youth. We see the symbol of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, constantly reappearing in art history to signify renewal, and the ephemeral nature of beauty. Through this motif, Miss Behr is subconsciously linked to an archetype of beauty and grace. The collective memory associated with flowers and youth engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, sparking a profound emotional response. This illustrates how certain symbols can be passed down through history, evolving and resurfacing in different contexts.