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

Editor: This is a trade card from 1890 by Kinney Brothers, featuring Madge Lawner, from their Actresses series to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It's fascinating to see how print, photography and drawing blend in such a small format. The image has a staged quality to it. How would you interpret this piece, considering its purpose? Curator: Well, this seemingly simple trade card reveals a fascinating interplay of art, commerce, and the burgeoning cult of celebrity in the late 19th century. Consider, for example, how Kinney Brothers deployed images of actresses like Madge Lawner, capitalizing on their public persona to boost sales. It’s worth investigating the cultural significance of associating cigarette smoking with figures of theatrical fame, who themselves were increasingly prominent figures in a changing social landscape. What does this tell us about the perceived role of women on stage at the time, or even how those representations functioned as a visual marketing strategy? Editor: So it’s about tapping into the glamorous image of actresses to sell a product? I also noticed this card seems inspired by Japonisme. Curator: Exactly. There's definitely an element of Japonisme, particularly in the flattened perspective and the focus on the subject. But think deeper – beyond just aesthetic borrowing, how does Japonisme serve to elevate the image, lending it an air of sophisticated exoticism, further enhancing its appeal to consumers? In what ways did this tie in to existing ideas about the actress herself? These actresses became accessible figures through these cards, but were also shaped by the very image on these cards. Editor: That's a clever insight – the combination creates a whole new layer of meaning and shows that these are definitely not 'just' advertising! Curator: Absolutely. By dissecting even a seemingly minor piece of ephemera, we uncover a wealth of information about cultural values, advertising strategies, and the social currency of celebrity during the period.