Actress from the Old Judge series (N167) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886

This small card, made by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century, was printed using photolithography, a newly efficient way to reproduce images en masse. The material is humble—thin paper stock—but the image is suggestive. An actress, caught in a moment of undress, advertises "Old Judge" cigarettes. The printing technique allowed for a remarkable level of detail, capturing the texture of her clothing and the soft gradations of light on her skin. But this wasn't art for art's sake. It was advertising, pure and simple, made possible by industrial means. Cards like these were inserted into cigarette packs, incentivizing repeat purchases. The actresses, athletes, and other celebrities featured became collectable, and the trade of these cards became a social activity. Of course, the ultimate aim was to hook consumers on tobacco. So, next time you light up, consider the complex web of materials, making, and marketing that brings that cigarette to your lips. It's a far cry from the world of fine art, but it's a world that shapes our desires all the same.