Profile of actress wearing pink bodice, from Stars of the Stage, First Series (N129) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890

Editor: This is "Profile of actress wearing pink bodice" from the series Stars of the Stage, a print from 1890 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., intended as advertisement. I’m really struck by how it combines what feels like delicate portraiture with something very…commercial. What's your take on this kind of art meeting advertisement? Curator: It's a fascinating collision, isn't it? This wasn't simply about selling tobacco; it was about crafting an image of sophistication and aspiration. Consider the period: the late 19th century, a time when the mass media began influencing societal norms. Actresses were becoming public figures, their images carefully curated and disseminated. W. Duke, Sons & Co. cleverly co-opted this phenomenon. Editor: So, you are saying the goal was to get into the culture, to subtly push social values toward more consumption. Curator: Exactly. This print isn't just a portrait; it's a vehicle for social and cultural currency. Owning these cards – essentially free with a tobacco purchase – gave consumers a piece of that celebrity culture, aligning them with ideals of beauty, fashion, and success, but also projecting what beauty was about. Notice, for example, the pink bodice. Why that particular color? Editor: Well, pink was often associated with femininity, grace, wasn’t it? The Japonisme aspect must also come into play; I understand it was meant to exude elegance. Curator: Precisely! These cards circulated widely, becoming embedded in everyday life and shaping perceptions of female beauty. The interesting fact is how advertisement campaigns still work that way: associating celebrities and lifestyles to commodities for profit and shaping behaviors and opinions along the way. Editor: I never considered how impactful these simple cards could be. Seeing it as a piece of larger societal forces gives the artwork a new angle to appreciate, and to critically observe. Thank you for showing me the extent of what to consider here.