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

This card featuring Lillian Russell, was created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of an actresses series. The sumptuous fur stole draped around her shoulders is more than mere adornment; it evokes a sense of luxury and sensuality. Consider how such symbols of opulence recur throughout art history, from the lavish fabrics in Renaissance portraits to the furs worn by society ladies in paintings by artists such as Boldini. The fur, historically a signifier of wealth and status, takes on a new dimension in the context of celebrity. It becomes a tool for crafting an image, a means of enchanting the viewer, and speaks to our collective fascination with beauty and fame. Observe how the association of fur with wealth and beauty transcends time, continually resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new layers of meaning across different eras.