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

This is a lithograph of Jessie Cameron, from the Actors and Actresses series, created by Allen & Ginter. The sepia tones of the print contribute to a subdued yet focused composition. The actress is seen holding a tambourine above her head, which draws the eye upwards, creating a sense of movement. The composition is structured around a clear vertical axis, with the figure's body forming the central line, balanced by the accessories she holds and wears. The use of clothing— the apron, the top and the corset— serves to delineate the form, breaking it down into geometric segments. This segmentation emphasizes the materiality and constructed nature of the image itself. The polka dots and stripes on the hem of the skirt inject an element of visual contrast, highlighting how pattern can disrupt a fixed reading of the image. This piece functions not merely as a portrait but as a complex arrangement of forms that challenges conventional representations of image construction.