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

Curator: This is "Borris, Paris," a piece hailing from the Actors and Actresses series created for Virginia Brights Cigarettes between 1885 and 1891, part of the Met's collection. Editor: The immediate thing that strikes me is the luxurious weight of the textures depicted, especially how a rather straightforward advertising portrait could capture such materiality in its depiction of fur and velvet. Curator: These cards often feature actors and actresses, elevating them into a realm of celebrity endorsement, each imbued with certain cultural values. Do you see how the details in attire are meticulously presented, all the more poignant when seen as indicators of fame during the Gilded Age? Editor: Absolutely, it speaks to a culture obsessed with material display, promising access to that lifestyle via a simple cigarette purchase, the whole card functioning as both promotion and a status symbol in miniature, accessible by many consumers. The printing itself, given that mass reproduction was just beginning to be more widespread and perfected, adds another layer to that conversation. Curator: Consider also how the gaze of the actress draws us into an engagement, perhaps meant to instill a desire for aspiration beyond mere possession. How might we consider the background too, which almost echoes a kind of romantic setting, almost divorced from the everyday reality of 19th century commerce? Editor: Interesting, though I am struck how the rather generic, decorative elements almost flatten the picture and highlight its artificiality, constantly reminding us it is a construct. Ultimately, the print emphasizes how commercial desire functions through staged or highly manipulated means. Curator: A staged reality fueling a desire for something beyond reach, indeed. Thank you for shedding light on that element. Editor: Thank you, these tokens reflect a time where desire and commodity merged inextricably, something we continue to witness today.