Battoni, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Curator: This albumen print titled "Battoni, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes," hails from sometime between 1885 and 1891 and originates from the studio of Allen & Ginter. It now resides here at The Met. Editor: She has such a soft, almost ethereal quality to her. The sepia tones give it a nostalgic feeling, but there’s a clarity in her gaze. The photo looks like it's taken from an everyday point of view rather than staged, which makes her appear grounded despite the promotional setting. Curator: Right. Allen & Ginter were pioneering in using celebrity endorsements – specifically, actors and actresses – to sell their Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The image was printed as a collectible card included in cigarette packs. It’s a clever strategy aligning their product with aspirational figures. Editor: Absolutely. And, look at how the portrait itself functions. It presents Battoni not just as a commodity, but as an emblem of beauty and sophistication. In those years, with limited forms of mass media, this circulation was probably a groundbreaking form of building up celebrity culture as well. But there's something to be said about women pictured primarily as ideals while their struggles and talents get secondary considerations. Curator: The series definitely perpetuated societal expectations of women. We see a classic portrait style. Her expression is serene, inviting consumption both of the product and, arguably, of an ideal. Editor: It makes me wonder, too, about Battoni's agency in this whole affair. Was she properly compensated? Did she consent to this particular portrayal? We need to bring these critical questions forward to truly evaluate its cultural footprint. Also, the idea of marketing using celebrity can be discussed in intersection with women's limited social capital. Curator: Precisely, placing the image within that historical context helps us consider those issues of commodification and power. These cards become relics demonstrating complex marketing systems. Editor: Right, stepping back I also acknowledge how these tiny pieces speak volumes regarding representation and economic motivations during the late 19th century. Curator: Agreed, a tangible slice of marketing, ideals, and performance preserved in time.