Mlle. Jennings, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a photograph of Mlle. Jennings, produced as a promotional item for Virginia Brights Cigarettes by Allen & Ginter. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the social and cultural values of the Gilded Age. Consider the politics of imagery at the time. The commercial use of actresses' images speaks volumes about celebrity culture and the role of women in society. Was this card empowering, or was it exploitative? To fully understand the card, we need to consider the institutional history of advertising. The rise of mass media and consumer culture created new opportunities for businesses, and these cards were a clever way to promote a product and the actresses it portrayed. Historians of art and culture use a variety of resources to understand the significance of images like this. By studying the history of advertising, popular culture, and gender, we can gain a richer understanding of the social conditions that shaped the production and reception of this artwork.