Annie St. Tel, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Editor: This is "Annie St. Tel, from the Actresses series," a photograph from 1890 by Kinney Brothers, part of a promotional set for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The sepia tone gives it a vintage feel, and Annie's pose, draped in frills and lace, seems both performative and vulnerable. How do you interpret this work within its historical context? Curator: This image, while seemingly innocuous, reveals fascinating layers when viewed through a critical lens. Actresses, like Annie St. Tel, were becoming public figures, but their representation was often mediated through the male gaze, in this case, further complicated by its use in advertising tobacco. Consider the power dynamics at play. The photograph idealizes a specific kind of femininity to sell a product, embedding women’s images within consumer culture. How do you think this impacted the perception of women at the time? Editor: It’s interesting to consider that she's being objectified to sell cigarettes. I guess I hadn’t really considered the relationship between gender, commerce, and public image here. Did these types of images affect perceptions about labor, since she’s an actress, and that’s her job? Curator: Exactly. And it’s essential to acknowledge the class implications too. Tobacco use was marketed towards diverse demographics, and this portrait, circulating inexpensively, could potentially blur social boundaries, democratizing access to aspiration and desire. How might this type of commercialized imagery reinforce or challenge existing hierarchies related to class? Editor: So, it's not just about the actress or the cigarette; it's about what the image *does* culturally, reinforcing or disrupting social structures! Curator: Precisely. Examining these seemingly simple images unlocks dialogues about gender, labor, consumption, and the intricate construction of identity in the late 19th century. Editor: I see. Now, when I look at it, I’m not just seeing a pretty picture, but the workings of a complex social landscape. Thanks!