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

This is a carte-de-visite-style image of Miss Harding, made in the United States in the late 19th century for the Virginia Brights Cigarettes company. Here, a tobacco firm co-opts the imagery of celebrity, using popular actresses to promote its brand, binding together performance, consumption, and fame. In this context, the mass production of images and the emergence of celebrity culture are deeply intertwined with the growth of consumer capitalism. It is a moment in history when cultural institutions and commercial interests begin to merge. As such, this image is interesting not only as a portrait but as a cultural artifact emblematic of its time. To fully appreciate the image, one might consult advertising history, theater archives, and even medical records relating to the use of tobacco. These will help us understand the complex interplay of art, commerce, and society. Through interdisciplinary research, the seemingly simple image becomes a rich source of social and cultural insight.