Marie Jansen, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This cigarette card, made by Goodwin & Company around 1900, depicts actress Marie Jansen posed against draped curtains. The curtains act as a backdrop but also evoke the theatrical setting in which Jansen thrived. Consider the recurring motif of curtains in art and life, representing the unveiling of truth or the revealing of a hidden world. Think of Bernini’s “Ecstasy of Saint Teresa,” where similar curtains suggest a divine vision being revealed. Jansen's pose with outstretched arms, seemingly holding the curtains open, may be reminiscent of ancient depictions of theatrical muses, inviting the audience into the drama. The gesture is timeless, embodying a sense of display and invitation that touches on our collective fascination with performance and revelation. It speaks to a subconscious desire to be transported, transformed, and to witness the unveiling of something extraordinary. Such symbols cycle through time, constantly reappearing and evolving to resonate with new audiences.