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

This commercial card for Old Judge Cigarettes, likely dating to the late 19th century, presents the actress Mlle. Lebrey as a modern Diana. The rifle she holds and the fox headdress evoke the ancient Roman goddess of the hunt, a symbol of female strength and independence. Yet, this invocation is layered with the conventions of its time. The garment, quite revealing, creates tension between classical virtue and contemporary sensuality. We see echoes of Diana in earlier Renaissance paintings, but now she appears within the context of a burgeoning consumer culture, meant to entice smokers. The fox headdress, a curious detail, might also suggest cunning or transformation, qualities often associated with figures in folklore. How fascinating that this symbol—woman as huntress—continues its journey, transformed by each era's desires and anxieties. It shows how deeply rooted images shape our collective memory and play out in unexpected ways.