Mlle. Decroizee, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches promotional image of Mlle. Decroizee of Paris, was made by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, capitalizing on the burgeoning fame of actresses in the late 19th century. We see a woman with a severe hourglass figure, enhanced by a tightly laced corset which was fashionable at the time. Her clothing and posture were meant to embody an ideal of feminine beauty and allure. Yet, we might also see it as an emblem of the constraints placed on women, both physically and socially. The image, in its original context, served to promote not just cigarettes, but also a certain lifestyle and set of values. It reflects how women were often commodified and used in advertising to sell products, their images and identities molded to fit societal expectations and desires. The popularity of these cards also underscores the cultural fascination with celebrity and the ways in which images can shape perceptions and desires.