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

Editor: This is “Bessie Lynch, from the Actresses series,” an albumen print from 1890 by Kinney Brothers, intended as a promotional card for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. There’s something so evocative about these ephemeral objects; Bessie herself looks regal and somewhat melancholic. What sort of symbols and imagery stand out to you here? Curator: It's interesting that you pick up on that melancholy. Consider how tobacco, pleasure, and the performance arts intersect. Bessie Lynch, adorned in what appears to be theatrical costume, becomes a symbol of fleeting beauty and transient enjoyment, much like the ephemeral puff of a cigarette. Do you see how the floral elements of her clothing allude to this ephemeral quality of life? Editor: Yes, the floral details and elaborate costume certainly lend a performative, almost staged, feeling to the image. The feather in her hair especially. Curator: Precisely. Think of how actresses, in their roles, embody various archetypes and emotions. Lynch, by being part of this “Actresses” series, is turned into a type of modern icon, signifying entertainment, desire, and the power of image. She becomes more than just a portrait; she’s a stand-in for all actresses, for performance itself. How does the commercial intention play into the reading? Editor: That's a fascinating point. The cigarette company is selling an idea, a fantasy tied to this glamorous figure. The symbolism is being leveraged for marketing, connecting Bessie's image with aspiration. It's almost a form of secular icon worship. Curator: Exactly. Kinney Brothers harnessed her likeness, infusing the everyday act of smoking with a sense of sophistication, aspiration, and, perhaps subtly, a dash of tragedy. In a way, Bessie Lynch becomes a cultural artifact of her time. Editor: I never thought of it that way, but it makes perfect sense. The commercial context shapes the symbols we see. Curator: These visual echoes give us a rich perspective on that bygone era. Thank you.