Gracie Wilson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a photograph of Gracie Wilson, an actress, created by Allen & Ginter as part of a series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Gracie's attire includes striped stockings, a detail that is especially striking. The exposure of these stockings is a deliberate act, raising her skirt to reveal them. Consider the cultural context, where such displays were charged with meaning. Similar motifs of partial undress appear throughout art history. Think of the playful nymphs in classical paintings or even the veiled figures in Renaissance art; these images toy with the idea of concealment and revelation. This careful unveiling speaks to a deeper psychological dance. It plays on our fascination with the forbidden, tapping into primal desires and anxieties surrounding exposure. The image, though simple, becomes a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.