Miss Mignonette, from the Actresses series (N190) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Editor: So, this is "Miss Mignonette," from a series called "Actresses," created by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. in 1889. It's a small print, likely a photograph, that was part of a cigarette card set. There’s a wistful, almost melancholic feeling to it. What do you see in this piece, beyond a pretty face? Curator: It’s crucial to situate these "Actresses" cards within the burgeoning culture of celebrity and consumerism of the late 19th century. The image promotes a product while simultaneously commodifying female identity. We're not simply looking at a portrait; we’re seeing the convergence of entertainment, advertising, and the male gaze. Does the "melancholy" you perceive reflect the actress’s own interiority, or is it projected onto her by the viewer or even strategically manufactured for consumption? Editor: That's a really interesting point! I hadn’t thought about how much these images were about selling something beyond just the cigarettes. Do you think the cards played a part in shaping public perception of women and their roles? Curator: Absolutely. They circulated idealized images of women, often performers, thus implicitly setting standards of beauty and behavior, but simultaneously offered a glimpse into the public sphere for women, albeit a mediated one. Consider who was consuming these cards and the messages they were internalizing. These weren't just innocent trinkets; they were tools in constructing gendered identities and societal expectations. Editor: So, it's less about the individual woman and more about what she represents in a broader social and economic context? I'm starting to see it in a new light! Curator: Precisely. Understanding this shifts our focus from aesthetics to power dynamics, representation, and the historical construction of femininity. These objects offer a powerful lens through which to examine the social landscape of the time. Editor: This has really changed my perspective on this small portrait. Thank you for offering me a completely new way to appreciate this artwork.