Actress wearing blue hat with flowers, from Stars of the Stage, Fourth Series (N132) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1892 - 1893

Curator: What a curious confection! My first impression is that it’s sweet, yet almost oppressively ornamental. Editor: Indeed. What you’re responding to is “Actress wearing blue hat with flowers,” a lithograph from the “Stars of the Stage” series issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. between 1892 and 1893. Curator: Stars of the Stage… Right away I see the complex dynamics of representation and commodification at play here. It is very interesting that a woman’s identity is used to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. I'm drawn to analyze this piece with consideration for the socio-political contexts of the time period to see the deeper meaning within this historical context. Editor: From my perspective, I am seeing how the composition guides the viewer's eye straight to her face. The colors work harmoniously, creating an aesthetic of simple elegance. Curator: Yes, but note that this "elegance" is deliberately constructed. Consider how the male gaze and social expectation would have shaped her performance and image. The flowers almost feel like a cage; femininity used as a product to market to consumers of a patriarchal society. Editor: Perhaps, yet it's hard not to notice the visual echoes. The cool blues of the hat tie back into the scarf, but in terms of visual weight, this actress holds her own against the weight of the adornments. The artist does a lot with shape here, balancing simplicity and adornment into a harmonious whole. Curator: A balancing act, perhaps. However, if we apply contemporary feminist theory, the balance looks uneven, one that tips in favor of a commercial exploitation of women and their role within a heteronormative culture. I find myself wondering who this woman really was. Editor: Still, even within that frame, she seems to carry herself with quiet self-assurance, if the curve of her neck and subtle expression are anything to go by. We each respond to this work with our own sensibilities. Curator: Precisely. These historical imprints give the seemingly simple portrait depth, layering its image with historical narratives that deserve careful consideration and acknowledgement. Editor: Indeed, its formal aspects create that surface from which interpretation springs forth!