Miss Rose Sutherland, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This small photograph of Miss Rose Sutherland comes from a series made by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards, which were widely distributed, provide us with a glimpse into the world of entertainment and advertising at the turn of the century. Here, the actress Rose Sutherland poses playfully next to a column. Her engagement with the column is striking, as she appears to be both supported and confined by the architectural structure. These cards, while seemingly innocent, participated in the commercialization of femininity. Actresses, like Miss Sutherland, were presented as objects of desire, packaged and sold alongside everyday consumer goods. The image invites reflection on the dynamics of performance, identity, and the ways in which women navigated their roles in the public eye. It prompts us to consider how individuals can be both empowered and constrained by the narratives and expectations of their time.