Standing actress in long pale gown, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This promotional card was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The standing actress in her gown recalls the classical contrapposto, a posture seen in ancient Greek sculptures. This stance, where the weight is shifted to one leg, allows a relaxed naturalism, animating the figure with a subtle dynamism that has resonated through the ages. Consider the Venus de Milo, for instance, whose elegant poise echoes here, albeit translated into the vernacular of the late 19th century. The gesture of the actress, with her arm extended, appears in many guises throughout art history—from ancient orators to religious figures bestowing blessings. These gestures transcend mere mimicry; they tap into a collective memory, a shared understanding of power, grace, and the performative self. Each reappearance subtly shifts, adapting to the zeitgeist, yet retaining a primal connection to the past. Ultimately, this small card is a node in the vast network of cultural transmission, a testament to how images persist, evolve, and continue to shape our understanding of beauty and expression.