M'lle Couralet, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is a promotional card for Duke Cigarettes from the Actors and Actresses series, made around the turn of the century. The sepia tone lends a nostalgic quality, emphasizing the texture of the paper and the dress of M'lle Couralet. The composition is structured by the diagonal line of her body, contrasting the rigid rectangular format of the card. The dark lacing of her corset creates a focal point, drawing the eye to the artificial construction of her form. The lace, frills and floral patterns soften the overt display of her figure. Such a card operates within a complex semiotic system. It signifies not only the actress but also the Duke Cigarettes brand, and broader cultural values associated with beauty, performance and consumerism. These cards were not merely advertisements; they circulated images and ideas, shaping perceptions of femininity. The interplay of form and content in this seemingly simple card reveals how art intersects with commerce and the construction of identity.