Card Number 767, Louisa Carleton, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is a card, made around 1870-1920 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., to promote Cameo Cigarettes. It features Louisa Carleton, an actress, in a classical pose that evokes historical memory and a sense of timelessness. Note how Carleton reclines, her head resting on her hand. This gesture, seen in countless portraits through the ages, speaks of contemplation and melancholy. One can trace this motif back to ancient depictions of philosophers and muses, figures deep in thought, embodying intellectual and creative inspiration. This pose transcends mere physical representation; it evokes a sense of inner life, inviting us to ponder the subject's thoughts and emotions. The composition triggers our collective memory, resonating with the weight of history and cultural meaning, subconsciously eliciting emotional responses. It resurfaces in the modern world, in advertising and photography, each time subtly shifting in meaning.