Portrait of woman, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Curator: Here we have "Portrait of woman, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 1)" issued in 1889 by Kinney Bros. Editor: She seems so coy and sweet, like a doll you might keep in your pocket. Curator: It's quite intriguing when we consider this was originally a promotional item from a tobacco company. They were packaged in cigarette boxes as a "novelty". It raises interesting questions about the marketing and consumption of images, particularly in relation to gender and desire, don’t you think? Editor: Absolutely. She becomes a commodity herself, her image entwined with the sale of tobacco. Consider how her demure appearance plays into societal expectations of women during the late 19th century. Her blush, her averted gaze… these all contribute to a very constructed ideal of femininity. And a White ideal, it seems. Curator: From a formal perspective, the circular format emphasizes the image's object-like quality. There is no hard or definitive outline. The textures of the printed paper lend a kind of diffused light that gently contours her features. Notice also that each individual quality or section is carefully rendered. Editor: Yes, and those almost Impressionistic brushstrokes work to soften the portrait, making her feel accessible and unthreatening, which no doubt played into the marketing strategy. There’s also something about this type of commercial image – the flattening of diverse womanhood, perhaps? A uniform standard for "novelty" women is concerning when looking at the history of objectification and colonial image-making. Curator: This print, intended as a commercial trifle, invites surprisingly rich visual analysis. The composition might initially appear quaint, but actually reveals complex construction. Editor: Indeed. It reminds us how even the simplest image can reveal the underlying societal power dynamics at work. It's about encouraging conversation surrounding those power structures that we as curators should value the most.