Card Number 144, Annie Sutherland, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is "Card Number 144, Annie Sutherland," a promotional card made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of their Actors and Actresses series. The sepia tones give it a vintage feel. It is a very small card, which makes the image feel very intimate, like it's a small secret. The composition is neatly divided between the portrait of Annie Sutherland and the textual advertisement. Her figure, framed by a tightly laced costume, embodies the ideal of feminine beauty of the period. The lighting creates soft highlights and shadows, accentuating her features and the texture of her outfit. The text, "Cross-Cut Cigarettes ARE THE BEST," is integrated into the image. The model, and her beauty, becomes a signifier for the cigarette brand. What’s particularly striking is how this image plays with the idea of representation and commodification. The card is not just a portrait but a product, blending the aesthetic appeal of the actress with the marketing of cigarettes. Consider how this tension between art and commerce reshapes our understanding of beauty and value.