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

Editor: Here we have "Annie Robe, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes," created between 1886 and 1890 by Goodwin & Company. It's a print, probably based on a photograph. What strikes me is the almost dreamlike quality. What's your interpretation? Curator: It’s crucial to remember the socio-cultural context. These cigarette cards weren't just promoting a product; they were participating in a larger cultural project. By including "actresses," what kind of imagery did they help to perpetuate, and for whom? Editor: So you're suggesting that the choice of subject—an actress—wasn't arbitrary? Curator: Precisely. Actresses occupied a precarious position in society at the time, simultaneously admired and looked down upon. The inclusion of their portraits on cigarette cards brought them into homes and hands but framed within the context of commercial consumption. Notice also that they are named in the promotional text as “Gypsy Queen Cigarettes”, further associating these products with spectacle. Editor: That's a fascinating point. I hadn't considered how the context of consumerism impacted the image itself. Were there particular pressures or social functions inherent in celebrity endorsements then, influencing representations? Curator: Absolutely. The popularity of actresses ensured a wider audience for the product, yes, but it also subtly controlled their image and contribution. Consider who benefitted from circulating that particular visual, and what behaviors were normalized. Whose gaze does the portrait serve? Editor: I see what you mean. It seems like a simple portrait, but it reflects so much more about power and visibility in that period. Thanks! Curator: It's a potent reminder that even seemingly innocent images can be deeply entangled with social and political dynamics. Thinking about the history gives it a greater depth and interest!