Card 877, Blauclerc, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This photograph is from the Actors and Actresses series, printed by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Here, Blauclerc is captured seated on a pedestal, adorned with classical reliefs and wearing laced shoes. The pedestal itself is a key symbol. It evokes the classical world, a foundation of Western culture. The reliefs are suggestive of idealized forms, perhaps referencing Greek or Roman statuary. This aesthetic nod to antiquity served not only as a backdrop but also as a means to elevate the actress. The laced shoes, reminiscent of ancient footwear, further connect the performer to the past. Consider how similar footwear appears in classical sculptures of deities or heroes. Such symbols resonate with the collective memory, invoking an aura of importance and linking contemporary figures to timeless ideals. This connection stirs the subconscious, making us feel that we are participating in an unbroken chain of history.