Card 743, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card, "Card 743, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes" presents a sepia-toned portrait. Its composition, dominated by the figure of an actress, immediately draws us into a study of form and representation. Note how the actress is strategically positioned to occupy the majority of the frame. The lines of her costume create a complex interplay with the draped fabric behind her. The texture, visible in the detailed patterns of her dress and the backdrop, adds a tactile dimension to the image. The use of sepia tones flattens the image, which is quite common for that time. It encourages us to view the card not just as a portrait, but as a sign. It's a sign of both celebrity and consumer culture, reflecting the commercial interests that intersect with the world of entertainment. Here, the actress is commodified, her image used to sell cigarettes, prompting us to consider the semiotic relationship between image, identity, and capital. This card prompts a structural analysis of image production.