Card Number 336, Carrie Behr, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 336, Carrie Behr, was issued by Duke Sons & Co. around the turn of the century to promote Cameo Cigarettes. This small card is part of a larger series called “Actors and Actresses.” Carrie Behr, an actress of the era, is depicted in a pose that challenges the prim and proper representation of women that was typical at the time. Her costume is suggestive of a masculine attire, a visual rebellion that reflects a broader shift in societal norms regarding gender. What does it mean to see a woman adopting a stance of power within a medium designed to sell cigarettes? The commercial nature of this artwork is impossible to ignore, yet Behr's confident gaze transcends its original function. It invites us to reflect on the intertwined dynamics of performance, identity, and commodification inherent within popular culture. What do you think?