Litta, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This photograph of Litta, an actress, was part of a series produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The cigarette she holds is more than a mere prop; it is a symbol laden with historical and cultural implications. Consider how the act of smoking has been portrayed across various epochs. From indigenous rituals of sacred tobacco use to the modern image of rebellious freedom, its symbolism shifts. In the 19th century, it signified sophistication and leisurely indulgence, yet also hinted at the more profound aspects of human existence. The cigarette could also be considered an emblem of ephemeral pleasure, a fleeting moment of enjoyment that mirrors life's transient nature. Note how this theme has resurfaced time and again in art, literature, and cultural practices. The transience of life and beauty and the allure of fleeting moments – a cycle of symbolic representation that speaks to the human condition.