Anna Suits, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This photograph of Anna Suits, an actress, was made by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The figure seated regally in a draped chair invites us to ponder the layers of representation and performance. Consider the chair itself, an age-old symbol of authority and repose. It is reminiscent of thrones depicted in ancient Roman portraits and Renaissance paintings. The sitter’s relaxed yet poised posture, coupled with her confident gaze, projects an image of self-assuredness and charm. It echoes the symbolic language of power found in depictions of rulers and deities throughout history. This small card becomes a stage where the actress embodies the cultural memory of female representation. She recalls the goddesses and heroines of antiquity. This convergence of advertising, celebrity, and classical symbolism reveals how cultural memory and emotional engagement are intertwined in the visual narratives we consume.