[High kick of dancer], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is a monochrome photograph from the "Actors and Actresses" series, issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes. This photograph depicts a woman in a high kick, likely a dancer, in the theatrical garb of the time. This image is characteristic of the late 19th-century trend of using celebrities and popular figures in advertising. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this particular piece in its collection. This is a great example of how a product can be advertised using a familiar image to the public, with the use of recognizable figures, to connect with viewers. This card is one of many in the series depicting performers from the Gilded Age. The image was created between 1890 and 1895 and it is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.