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

This small portrait card of Lillian Price, part of the Actors and Actresses series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, presents a fascinating study in late 19th-century representation. The sepia tone flattens the image, emphasizing form over depth, and sets a nostalgic mood. Consider the interplay between the figure and text. Lillian Price occupies the upper two-thirds of the card, her likeness meticulously captured in a posed stance. The dark ribbon accents create a stark contrast, destabilizing the softness of her dress. Below her, the bold, uppercase lettering of "VIRGINIA BRIGHTS *CIGARETTES" anchors the image, turning the actress into a signifier within a commercial context. Here, the photograph is not merely a representation but also a commodity, blurring the boundaries between art, celebrity, and consumerism. The formal composition is thus inextricably linked to its cultural function, challenging conventional notions of artistic value. The card invites us to reconsider how such images operate within broader economic and social structures, transforming artistic representation into a complex interplay of signs and meanings.