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

This small card featuring Mlle. Baretta, was created by Goodwin & Company as part of a series of actors and actresses to promote Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards offer a fascinating glimpse into the intersections of celebrity culture, consumerism, and gender roles of the late 19th century. Baretta, a Parisian actress, is presented here in a pose that emphasizes both her beauty and her status. The image plays into the era's fascination with European performers, who were often seen as emblems of sophistication and artistic expression. This commercial image carefully constructs an identity that is both alluring and respectable, designed to appeal to the consumers of the time. Yet, it also reflects the complex position of women in the public sphere, where their visibility was both celebrated and carefully managed. While Baretta achieved recognition through her talent, her image was also commodified and circulated as part of a larger marketing strategy, making us think about the role of women as both subjects and objects of representation.