Mlle. Dupre, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This cigarette card, produced by Goodwin & Company, presents Mademoiselle Dupre in a theatrical costume. The uniform alludes to military authority and evokes centuries of martial display. The rigid rows of buttons draw a lineage back to ancient armors, emblems of power and control. Note the glass of wine that she uses to rest her hand on as she smokes. The glass of wine symbolizes pleasure and decadence. The same motif of wine and tobacco appears in Dutch Golden Age paintings, but here, it’s imbued with a modern, androgynous twist. Consider the psychological weight of cross-dressing in performance. It challenges gender norms and expectations, a form of visual transgression that taps into primal notions of identity. These symbols reflect our subconscious desires, fears, and collective memories, constantly resurfacing and transforming across time.