Miss Leriche, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This small card, printed by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., is from a series that was inserted into cigarette packs. These cards, which featured actresses like Miss Leriche, were part of a broader cultural trend that commodified femininity. It’s fascinating to consider the appeal of these actresses in the late 19th century. These images acted as advertisements, subtly linking the allure of these women to the pleasure of smoking. The actress, with her poised gaze and softly lit features, is styled to appeal to a specific standard of beauty that was very much in keeping with the times. Her image represents a performance of femininity intended for public consumption. The cigarette card becomes a space where the woman is both subject and object. This card reflects the complex intersections of entertainment, consumerism, and gender that continue to shape our society today. What does it mean to see an image like this, knowing its dual purpose as art and advertisement?