Actress with curly hair, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This portrait of an actress with curly hair was produced as a promotional item by Kinney Brothers for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Here, the actress's cascading curls are not merely a detail of fashion but a symbol with roots stretching back through art history. Consider, for instance, Botticelli's Venus, whose flowing locks embody vitality and sensuality. Through time, this motif reappears, each instance layered with cultural and historical significance. The act of framing an actress with such curls is not just about beauty but about invoking an emotional response. This seemingly simple choice engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking feelings associated with beauty, desire, and the very essence of life. This iconography is a testament to the enduring power of symbols—they echo through the corridors of time, continually reshaped yet eternally potent.