Virginia Dreher in Italian Costume of 1600, from the set Actors and Actresses, Second Series (N71) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1890

Editor: This is “Virginia Dreher in Italian Costume of 1600” from around 1888-1890, a colored pencil print originally part of a cigarette card set. The colors are really striking for something mass-produced like this, and her expression is so serene. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What I see is a careful reconstruction of identity filtered through the lens of the late 19th century. Notice how the "Italian Costume of 1600" is not merely historical dress, but an idealised image carefully constructed for popular consumption. Dreher’s gaze drifts upwards, embodying an aspiration, an otherworldliness. Editor: An aspiration for what, exactly? Curator: Perhaps an escape? The late 19th century was a period of intense industrial change. Images like this offered a romanticised escape into what was perceived as a more elegant, refined past. Consider also the cultural weight attached to Italy during this time – the epicentre of Renaissance art. Do you see any elements that echo those themes? Editor: Yes! Her hat especially… it evokes those Renaissance paintings, all the richness and intricate detail. It’s interesting to think of this little cigarette card carrying all of that baggage. Curator: Precisely. And that little spiral flourish in the top corner? It’s a signifier – a reminder to those who understand the hidden meaning, to participate in an esoteric knowing about classical cultures and values. Editor: That makes you wonder about what other, seemingly simple images are hiding. Curator: Indeed. And how they can both reflect and shape our understanding of the past. These artifacts were deliberately curated in this way. The memory lives on because of images like this.