Card Number 2, cut-out from banner advertising the Opera Gloves series (G29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1885 - 1895

This is Card Number 2, a promotional cut-out for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. It provides a glimpse into the complex intersections of commerce, gender, and representation in the late 19th century. Here, a gloved hand delicately presents a portrait of a young woman. The gloves themselves become a signifier of class and femininity, hinting at the rituals of beauty and social performance expected of women during this era. The series of trade cards like this one, placed within cigarette packs, was designed to entice consumers and construct a particular vision of feminine beauty. These images not only reflected societal ideals, but also perpetuated them. Looking closely, consider the gaze of the young woman. The downcast eyes and modest demeanor were part of a visual language that reinforced women's roles as objects of beauty. The artist rarely gave them alternative narratives of self-expression. This piece serves as a reminder of the subtle ways that consumer culture can shape our perceptions and expectations of gender.