Mlle. Lester, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Editor: Here we have a photographic print from 1889, "Mlle. Lester," issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. It seems like it was originally a cigarette card. What's interesting to me is how posed and performative the image is. How do you read this work within its historical context? Curator: Absolutely. It's crucial to consider this image as part of a larger system of representation. Think about the commodification of women's bodies and the gaze, especially within burgeoning consumer culture. These cards were designed to sell cigarettes, so Mlle. Lester's image is being used to construct desires, both for the product and for a particular ideal of femininity. Editor: So, it's less about a realistic depiction and more about selling a fantasy? Curator: Exactly. The "Actresses series" suggests an accessible fame and glamour. But who gets to access this image? Who profits? What does this constructed image do to societal expectations of women? Editor: I see what you mean. It presents a very specific, limited version of womanhood, intended for a primarily male audience. Does this relate to gender and power at that time? Curator: Precisely. This image reinforces existing power dynamics. The male gaze is privileged. We have to ask ourselves: what are the social and cultural repercussions of these images circulating so widely? What were Mlle Lester's choices in all this? Editor: So, understanding the context helps us deconstruct the intended message, seeing the layers of exploitation and manipulation involved? Curator: Yes! By viewing it critically, we can discuss gender, class, and power—revealing uncomfortable truths about the history of representation. It makes us question the role of images, and how they shape us today. Editor: It's made me rethink how easily these images normalized specific roles and desires. Thank you. Curator: And thank you! It is only with critical analysis and conversation we come to recognize power dynamics.