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

Editor: Here we have "Mlle. Ascenseur" from the Actors and Actresses series, made between 1890 and 1895 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It looks like a photographic print. There’s something playful about her pose; what stands out to you? Curator: The performative nature of this photograph speaks volumes. It was mass-produced as a cigarette card, an advertisement. What does it mean when we commodify images of women, especially actresses, for the consumption of largely male audiences? Editor: So, you're saying it's more than just a portrait; it's also a statement about the role of women in entertainment and advertising? Curator: Precisely. Think about the actress’s control – or lack thereof – over her own image. The gaze is directed outward, towards the consumer. How much agency did she really have in how she was presented? And how does the act of smoking, linked to this image, complicate the narrative of feminine ideals during this period? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't considered the connection between smoking and the image. It makes me wonder about the intended audience and what message they were supposed to receive. Curator: These images weren't simply innocent portraits. They perpetuated certain ideas about women, performance, and desire. Recognizing that, what critical questions might we ask when viewing similar images today? Editor: I guess understanding the social context really shifts the way we look at seemingly simple images. Curator: Absolutely, it encourages us to think critically about representation and the power dynamics inherent in visual culture.