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

This is a photograph of Larive, an actress, made in the late 19th century by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It was one of many collectible cards included in packs of Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. This image presents a number of interesting questions about the politics of imagery at the time. The rise of commercial photography coincided with the growth of consumer culture. The advertising industry promoted idealized images of beauty and success, and the placement of these cards in cigarette packs suggests the commodification of female beauty. The actress, Larive, is posed in a theatrical manner, her costume extravagant, emphasizing the performative aspect of identity. The culture of celebrity was taking hold. Consider the social and institutional context in which art is made. The historical interpretations are always contingent and can be enriched by further research into the archives of advertising and theatre.