Fräulein Ilga, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: Here we have "Fräulein Ilga," a gelatin silver print likely made between 1885 and 1891, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. There’s something striking about seeing a performer’s image used in this way; it makes me consider how celebrity culture and commercial interests intersect. What's your take on this work? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider these cigarette cards as a form of early mass media. Think about the cultural context: this image wasn't presented as fine art but as a collectible within a commercial product. The series elevated actors, predominantly women, to celebrity status, while simultaneously exploiting their image for profit. How do you see the relationship between this kind of image and the more traditional portraiture of the time? Editor: I hadn't considered the exploitation aspect so explicitly. In terms of traditional portraiture, this feels more accessible, less about commemorating aristocratic status and more about the entertainment industry gaining traction. Were these cards intended to be widely accessible across different social classes? Curator: Yes, in theory. Cigarettes, while perhaps not universally consumed, were more accessible than fine art or theatre tickets for the working and middle classes. Therefore, these cards democratized imagery, offering glimpses of celebrities to a broader audience. But consider: who truly benefited from this democratization? The consumer, perhaps briefly entertained, or the cigarette company? And what impact might that have on how we see the subject of the image herself? Editor: That’s a really insightful point. The company profited massively by using Fräulein Ilga's likeness. The power dynamic seems heavily skewed. Curator: Exactly. The image functions not just as a portrait but as a marketing tool, shaping perceptions of both the actress and the product. We're seeing an early instance of celebrity endorsement shaping cultural values. Editor: It's made me think about the evolution of advertising and how celebrity culture continues to be commodified, except amplified through social media now. Curator: Indeed. The lineage from these cards to modern influencer culture is undeniable. It forces us to critically examine the interplay between art, commerce, and the construction of fame, even in seemingly trivial objects like cigarette cards.