Miss Durand, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card featuring Miss Durand, from the Actors and Actresses series, was made for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards were immensely popular and offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural values of the late 19th century. Miss Durand is captured in a pose that suggests both elegance and independence. The way she shields her eyes, the confident set of her shoulders, it speaks to the evolving roles of women in society at that time. These cards often reflected and shaped public perceptions, blurring the lines between the private lives and public personas of performers. But let’s also consider the commercial aspect – the commodification of image and identity. These cards were essentially advertisements, turning individuals into marketable commodities. What does it mean to turn a person into a collectible object? What narratives are being constructed and consumed? And what is the cost of such exposure?