M'lle Couralet, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card featuring M'lle Couralet, part of the Actors and Actresses series, was created by Allen & Ginter as advertisement for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The sepia-toned lithograph presents a portrait that emphasizes the formal elements of line, shape, and texture over vivid color. Note how the artist uses a restricted palette to draw attention to the figure's profile. The delicate lace and ribbon details on the bonnet, contrasted with the more rigid, geometric patterns of the corset, create a visual tension. The composition, tightly cropped, focuses on the actress's face and upper body, inviting a close examination of her features. This tight framing, combined with the monochromatic tones, creates an almost abstract study of form. The actress's gaze, directed off to the side, suggests a narrative beyond the frame, perhaps alluding to the performative nature of identity itself. Consider how the commodification of art, like the female figure, impacts its cultural value and challenges our understanding of representation.