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

This photograph of Maud Waldemere comes from a series of actress portraits printed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as promotional material for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These kinds of promotional items were popular in America during the late 19th century. The image presents Waldemere in costume. She is wearing a tight bodice, leggings and a short skirt. The backdrop is a painted tropical scene, which may or may not relate to the play she's performing. The purpose of the image is to glamorize the actress, and by extension, the cigarette brand. It suggests a world of leisure, entertainment, and perhaps a hint of exoticism. The image is a reminder of the close relationship between the culture industry and the world of commerce. To understand the public role of art at any given moment, it is important to look at the economic structures that support its production and distribution. Things like advertisements, playbills, popular press, and archival photos can all help us to understand these social and institutional contexts.