Card Number 152, Stella Sawer, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: So, this is Card Number 152, "Stella Sawer," a print and photograph from the 1880s by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has it. What strikes me is how this almost feels like a backstage glimpse—a performer caught between acts, maybe. What do you see here? Curator: Backstage glimpses are wonderful. It's more than just a portrait, isn't it? The light catches her eye, making her look upward in a pensive, perhaps expectant mood. The fact it was issued by Duke Cigarettes hints at a culture where entertainment and pleasure were interwoven – a little risky, maybe even cheeky. Is Stella looking at an admirer, or just dreaming of applause? Editor: Cheeky, definitely! I didn't think about the cigarette connection, but that makes so much sense. It’s like early product placement! And I do love that "dreaming of applause" idea. Curator: And look at the details. The opulent costume and headpiece scream 'performance,' while the muted tones and somewhat rigid pose add a layer of… restraint? Almost as if this "actress" has other ideas. She's certainly selling something beyond cigarettes! Don’t you think it odd that these cards give such an insight to that late 19th Century period of theatrical life and celebrity endorsement? Editor: Definitely seeing a tension there. I guess that tension between selling and artistry is pretty timeless. This has completely changed my view of what seemed like a simple portrait. Curator: Exactly. Sometimes it's the things seemingly unrelated to "art" – cigarette ads, the culture of celebrity – that unlock its deepest meanings. It’s wonderful how these ephemeral things can have such a powerful message, isn't it? Editor: Totally! I'm seeing so much more than just a pretty picture now.