Ida Mulle, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

Editor: Here we have "Ida Mulle, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes," made between 1886 and 1890 by Goodwin & Company. It's a small albumen print. There’s something striking about how crisp the image is for such an old photograph. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Let us consider first the composition. Notice the subject’s placement within the frame. She occupies the majority of the visual space, directing our gaze to her facial features and elaborate attire. How does the photographer use light and shadow? Editor: The lighting is very soft, almost diffused, which creates a gentle and flattering effect. The dark fur contrasts nicely with the lighter background. Curator: Precisely. Note how that tonal contrast contributes to the creation of depth, guiding the eye. Further, examine the textures carefully. Consider the contrasting textures of the woman's fur stole and the smoothness of her skin, achieved by the photographic process. What effect does that have? Editor: It creates a sense of realism. There's a tactile quality despite it being a flat image, but why include an actress as an advertisement for cigarettes? Is it just celebrity endorsement? Curator: We are limited by the frame of reference here. It is useful to consider how this print operates as a sign. Does the juxtaposition of the actress with the product signify glamour, sophistication, or something else? Reflect on how the materiality of this print itself–its small scale, its texture–affects your reading of the work. Editor: That’s fascinating. I hadn’t considered the importance of texture in photography so much before. I see now how the albumen print gives it this tangible presence that would have been lost in, say, a modern digital image. Curator: Indeed. Examining these visual components offers insight into how meaning is constructed within the image.