Miss Rezi, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Editor: This is "Miss Rezi, from the Actresses series" by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., dating to 1889. It’s a photograph, likely reproduced as a print, and was originally a cigarette card. It feels so distant and staged. What are your thoughts? Curator: What strikes me immediately is the nature of this photograph as a commodity. These cards, given away with cigarettes, were essentially marketing tools. It presents Miss Rezi for consumption, doesn't it? Both literally, with the product they are selling, but also figuratively, with her own image as an object of desire. What do you think this implies about the status of actresses, or even women in general, at the time? Editor: I see your point. It's unsettling to think about it that way, as if she's a product. Do you think her attire, a kind of orientalized costume, plays into that commodification? Curator: Absolutely. The “exotic” costume, coupled with the umbrella, is carefully constructed for the male gaze. This wasn't just a picture; it was meticulously produced. Consider the labor involved, not just in posing for and taking the photograph, but in the mass production of these cards. These material processes are deeply entwined with the social and economic realities of the time. And consider that this item was a luxury good advertisement targeting specific male consumers. Editor: So, reading the image in relation to production and social factors really changes how we see it. Curator: Precisely. Instead of just seeing a pretty portrait, we can investigate its relationship to labor, the culture of celebrity, and the commercial interests at play. Editor: I never thought about it that way, but understanding its materiality and place in consumer culture really adds a layer of complexity. Thanks!