Mlle. Dauville, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This photograph of Mlle. Dauville, Paris, was produced around 1900 by Goodwin & Company as part of a series for Old Judge Cigarettes. We see her here, staff in hand, in a costume evocative of classical garb. Consider the symbol of the staff itself. It’s an emblem of authority and guidance, appearing as early as ancient Egyptian art, where pharaohs wielded staffs as symbols of their divine right to rule. This echoes through the shepherd's crook in Christian iconography, symbolizing care for the flock. Yet, here, the staff seems almost playfully wielded, suggesting a theatrical, perhaps even subversive, interpretation of power. The use of classical imagery in popular culture reveals a recurring desire to connect with a perceived golden age. It's a dance of cultural memory, where symbols are continually reinterpreted, reflecting our evolving aspirations and anxieties. It taps into our collective subconscious, reminding us that symbols never truly die, but rather, are reborn in new guises.