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

This is a promotional card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, featuring Annie Sutherland, an actress, made by Allen & Ginter. These cards were immensely popular at the time, reflecting the burgeoning celebrity culture and the growing popularity of tobacco. Sutherland is posed in a somewhat provocative manner, highlighting the performance of femininity that was crucial to an actress’ appeal. The image plays into the dynamics of visibility and desire, a complicated role for women in the late 19th century who were both celebrated and scrutinized. The card is small, intimate even, but think of it as a tool of cultural circulation, a way to spread the image of idealised femininity while selling cigarettes. This piece is an example of how the commodification of identity and desire existed even then. It offers an opportunity to reflect on the ways in which images of women are circulated, consumed, and how these processes shape our perceptions.