Card Number 327, Empire Group, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: This is "Card Number 327, Empire Group" from the Actors and Actresses series. It was created in the 1880s by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes. It’s a small print featuring two women, seemingly performers, in rather…stark attire. What's your interpretation? Curator: It's easy to dismiss these cigarette cards as mere advertising, but let's delve deeper. What narrative do you think they perpetuate regarding the representation of women, considering the era? How do you believe they impacted gender roles and power dynamics in that specific social climate? Editor: Well, they're clearly meant to be alluring, and the actresses appear to be actively presenting themselves to a male gaze. I guess it perpetuates an image of women as objects of consumption, not just through cigarettes, but more generally. Curator: Precisely. This commodification of female image was prevalent during this period and intertwined with consumer culture. What aspects of the image make you say that, besides the way the figures pose and how their body looks? What do the costumes convey? How do the bodies interact with that decorative object placed in the background? Editor: Good point! The women look quite bold, or provocative, and I did not recognize the theatrical roots, as they belong to a group with "Empire" in its name. Curator: The costumes could be read as referencing a specific theatrical genre, which may suggest they might have agency. But the fact it’s being used to sell cigarettes highlights how those kinds of images may normalize the objectification of women. How might that impact contemporary debates around female representation and body image? Editor: It shows these aren't new issues, and reminds us of the long history of using women's images for profit. Thank you for bringing up that point. Curator: And that looking critically at these images offers a richer, more complex picture of history.