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

Curator: At first glance, she evokes a vintage photograph with its delicate sepia tones. The woman’s expression, poised between thought and engagement, seems captured from a bygone era of gentle intrigue. Editor: That's a lovely interpretation! Let me introduce what we’re seeing. This is an albumen print dating from the late 19th century, somewhere between 1885 and 1891, part of Allen & Ginter's "From the Actors and Actresses series." It's currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The print originally appeared as a collectible card included in Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Curator: Fascinating! I find the card to be visually striking in its use of the portrait. Though petite, its design has a monumental aura from her costume with the floral ornamentation and that feathered hairpiece. It speaks to the enduring nature of celebrity. I'm struck by the commercial intention in what looks like a sincere portrait. Editor: Absolutely. Let's delve into the symbols. The portrait is itself symbolic, offering access to a figure through her image, as the proliferation of images democratizes society and transforms our understanding of idols. But I also look at the name printed on it—"Virginia Brights Cigarettes." The tobacco is named for the state known as the heartland of America’s racial atrocity. The actress represents the alluring side of high society, but it also acts as an inescapable advertisement—like a brand on her face. Curator: That contrast between the alluring image and the advertisement on this print really makes one question the layers beneath the photograph's surface! There’s a push and pull between reality and artifice. Editor: Precisely! This tension underscores how portraits capture not only a person but an era, a set of cultural values. The photograph asks how a product like tobacco co-opts images and personalities for its success. And ultimately the photo tells a story far beyond a portrait's initial intention. Curator: Well, it’s been thought-provoking to reflect on this cigarette card today. It felt good to look at a beautiful woman and reflect more on the symbolism behind its material history! Editor: I agree. It's remarkable how a humble collectible card can open up into a whole universe of considerations.