Mlle. Myrrh, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Editor: Here we have "Mlle. Myrrh," a photographic print from around 1890, by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It's quite striking – the sitter gazes wistfully, framed by what looks like a feather boa. What immediately captures your attention in this piece? Curator: The "Mlle. Myrrh" image is far more layered than it initially seems. Her presentation--pearl necklace, the cascading feathers, the slightly weary gaze--speaks to the idealized, often unattainable, image of women projected in this period. Kinney Brothers presented a romantic vision of femininity to sell their cigarettes. What kind of power dynamic might that suggest? Editor: Hmmm, the commercial element definitely complicates the message, making the romanticism feel…performative? Was this typical, connecting actresses to products? Curator: Absolutely. Actresses, like saints or mythical figures of the past, served as powerful symbols, conduits of desire and aspiration. Note how the plant behind her head creates a visual halo, framing her face and hinting at an almost iconic status. Do you find it adds another dimension to the image, a certain spiritual or virtuous association? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way! The "halo" definitely elevates the portrait. The soft focus and sepia tones create this ethereal atmosphere too, reinforcing that elevated status. Curator: Indeed. These weren't simply advertisements; they were carefully constructed icons. Even her name, "Myrrh," evokes ancient rituals and precious offerings. This highlights how cultural memory permeates even the most commercial images. How does knowing this change your perception of the work? Editor: It definitely makes me see it as more complex and intentional than just a pretty picture on a cigarette card. There is more thought to this print, making the message far more enduring. Curator: Precisely. What seems like a simple portrait reveals a carefully orchestrated play of cultural symbols and commercial strategies. It mirrors the aspirations and values projected onto women during the Gilded Age.