Miss Franklyn Lynch, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Editor: This is a photograph of Miss Franklyn Lynch, taken around 1890 by Kinney Brothers. It’s from their “Actresses” series used to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The photographic print looks quite painterly, almost like a drawing. What stands out to you? Curator: The most compelling aspect is how this object straddles the line between art, commodity, and documentation. It was mass-produced as a tobacco advertisement, and the material itself tells a story about the cultural value placed on actresses at the time. This photograph’s means of production—how was this image reproduced at such scale, what chemicals and papers were used—directly shaped its social impact. Editor: So, you're saying the materials and the fact that it was used for advertising is more important than the subject? Curator: Not *more* important, but inextricably linked. The materiality reveals that its function as advertisement is inherently shaping the visual narrative of Miss Lynch’s representation. Look at how the company uses "japonisme," which suggests both wealth and exoticism. Editor: I see what you mean. It's not just a pretty picture, it's about the whole system behind its creation and use. Curator: Exactly! The commodification of image-making, the labor involved in producing and distributing these cards, and even the act of consumption related to both the photograph and cigarettes – it all reveals complex social relations. We must not ignore these connections when looking at a work of art like this. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider the next time I look at a portrait, thinking about not only who it depicts, but who made it and why. Curator: And how it got into our hands today. Hopefully it will broaden your understanding of how our society ascribes value through material production and social exchange.