Frau Sohush, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This sepia-toned photograph of Frau Sohush, part of Allen & Ginter’s “Actors and Actresses” series, presents a study in contrasts and period aesthetics. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the figure through a balanced arrangement of shapes and textures. Note how the textures of her garments offset each other: the smoothness of her blouse, the lacework of her bodice and the sheen of her skirt. These carefully balanced visual elements encourage a reading beyond mere representation. Consider the context. These cards were distributed with cigarette packs, making art accessible but also commodified. The series highlights a late 19th-century fascination with celebrity and the performative arts. The photograph’s sepia tone lends a nostalgic quality, inviting viewers to reflect on the era’s values. While seemingly straightforward, the image complicates notions of identity, commercialism, and artistic value in a rapidly changing world. By examining its structure, we can understand the cultural dialogues it embodies.