Card Number 249, Baker, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional card for Cross Cut Cigarettes, created by Duke Sons & Co. featuring an actress named Baker, part of a series showcasing actors and actresses. At first glance, the subject adopts a defiant stance, hand on hip, a gesture laden with a history stretching back to classical antiquity. Consider the Doryphoros of Polykleitos, where a similar pose conveyed balance and idealized form. Baker's stance, however, takes on a different hue. It's a bold, assertive posture, resonating with a modern sensibility. This seemingly simple gesture speaks volumes about the evolving role of women in society. Such postures resonate with a deep-seated desire for empowerment and challenge traditional notions of femininity. In this card, the actress bridges classical ideals and the burgeoning spirit of modernity, creating a powerful and engaging image.