Miss Sauder, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This is “Miss Sauder,” a photograph from the Actresses series, produced by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. These photographs were printed on cigarette cards. During the late 19th century, as photography became more accessible, images of actresses gained popularity. Sold with cigarettes, cards like these were collected largely by men, and they offer insight into the cultural construction of femininity. The portrait of Miss Sauder invites us to consider the performative nature of identity. Here, Sauder, like many actresses of her time, embodies a particular ideal of feminine beauty and grace which was considered highly desirable. As women increasingly entered the public sphere, actresses became symbols of aspiration, and debate. While seemingly innocuous, cards like these played a role in shaping and disseminating societal values, reflecting and reinforcing gender roles, class distinctions and the commercialization of beauty.