Marie Jennoe, from the Actresses series (N246), Type 1, issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes 1888 - 1892

Curator: This albumen-print photograph features Marie Jennoe. Part of the "Actresses" series (N246), it was issued by Kinney Brothers between 1888 and 1892 as a promotional item for Sporting Extra Cigarettes. Editor: Well, isn't she something? There’s a wistful air about her, a certain delicate melancholy in her eyes. Curator: Given the socio-historical context, this piece reveals how actresses were commodified and integrated into early advertising campaigns. It’s quite telling that her identity, tied to her profession, was leveraged to sell tobacco products. Editor: That's true, there’s a trade-off between being celebrated and exploited in these old portraits. Still, you can't deny the allure of that sepia tone, it brings a hazy dreamlike quality to her face. Curator: Indeed, but considering the limited agency women, especially actresses, had during this period, we have to critically analyze the power dynamics inherent in the photographic process and its subsequent use in marketing. It is hard to see a mere portrait and not also recognize these intersecting themes. Editor: I can appreciate that analysis, and I’m drawn in a different direction: imagining the theater lights glinting off her costume's embellishments as she waits in the wings to perform! There is always the power of possibility and the hint of something even more enticing lingering just behind the lens. Curator: Precisely. By considering these multifaceted angles, we enrich our understanding and spark vital discussions about representation, consumerism, and women's role in society during the late 19th century. Editor: Ah, a journey of looking that keeps on giving; perhaps one day I’ll actually buy some of those old tobacco cards and complete the "Actresses" series! Curator: One can only hope... and continue to advocate for a more inclusive understanding of art history.