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

Curator: Here we have a fascinating example of late 19th-century advertising art. This is a portrait card, part of the "Actresses" series, issued around 1890 by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The goal? To promote their Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The subject is Mme. Majori, a woman known primarily for performing in the theatre. Editor: It's all curves and light. There is such a theatrical contrast to her garb and poses. The textures, though flattened by the print medium, appear soft and flowing. I am intrigued by the lace on her arm contrasting with the dark bodice she is wearing. Curator: Indeed. The mass production of these cards was directly tied to the rising popularity of both photography and mass media. The cards served a dual purpose: they fueled celebrity culture by presenting actresses as glamorous figures, while simultaneously driving sales for Sweet Caporal. Consider how it reflects broader societal trends where the working lives of women became fodder for marketing. Editor: Thinking about the photograph strictly, I find that this piece works on its contrasts, it highlights soft textures with bold silhouettes; its use of sepia tones against the bright white background lends a dreamlike quality, almost as if Madame Majori floats. Note, too, the delicate dance she's doing with her hands as they tug at the air and her skirt. It conveys a light sense of whimsy. Curator: Right. The imagery taps into a sense of aspiration and entertainment tied into the societal perceptions of women. An actress in that period existed at a different, visible station. In purchasing these cigarettes—and collecting these cards—consumers weren't merely buying tobacco. They bought a piece of that aspirational lifestyle associated with theater and glamour. This also highlights the blurred line between art, advertising, and the performance of identity at the time. Editor: That perspective reveals more than is visibly expressed through its texture, lines, and medium alone, providing viewers more than meets the eye. Curator: It's precisely this blend of cultural commentary and visual representation that makes the piece so interesting. Editor: For me, this little window into a bygone era has given me cause to contemplate the role of performance and image as they mix.