Frankie Raymond, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a photograph of Frankie Raymond, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, created by Allen & Ginter. The sepia tone imbues the image with a sense of distance. Raymond's pose, perched on what appears to be a decorative plinth, creates a dynamic interplay between form and surface. The composition directs our gaze along the diagonals of her limbs and towards her face. Notice the subtle contrast in texture between the softness of her skin and the rough, ornate carvings of the plinth. This juxtaposition invites us to consider how surfaces interact and contribute to the overall visual experience. The theatrical backdrop adds another layer of artifice, disrupting any sense of naturalism. Raymond's carefully arranged posture and costume challenge conventional ideas about representation, blurring the lines between the authentic and the performed. The photograph is a study in surfaces, representation, and the structural elements that compose our perception.