Minnie Conway as "Pocahontas," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This is "Minnie Conway as 'Pocahontas,'" a chromolithograph trading card from the Fancy Dress Ball Costumes series, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The composition strikes an immediate contrast: Conway's European features and costume are set against the presumed authenticity implied by the 'Pocahontas' title. Notice how the vibrant reds and blues of her attire pop against the muted yellow backdrop, drawing attention to the constructed nature of her appearance. The feathers, while adding visual flair, are clearly ornamental, highlighting a performance of identity rather than its genuine expression. This tension between image and identity prompts us to consider semiotics. Here, the signifier, Conway dressed as Pocahontas, does not align seamlessly with the signified—the historical Pocahontas. The card challenges fixed meanings and engages with complex ideas about representation. The very medium, a mass-produced card from a cigarette brand, underscores how identity can be commodified and consumed. This intersection of commerce and cultural representation is not just aesthetically interesting but is also part of a broader discourse on cultural appropriation.