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

Curator: What a find. Today, we're looking at "Miss Baker, from the Actors and Actresses series," a trade card created between 1885 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter to advertise Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Editor: My first impression is of this amazing tonality, these subtle sepias! There is so much geometric energy—all the stripes converging and contrasting in such a limited color space. Curator: Absolutely, and these cards served a fascinating social function. Imagine these traded amongst smokers, tiny portraits of actresses becoming accessible, collectible commodities. It reflects the growing celebrity culture. Editor: The composition, it's undeniably striking. How she strikes this delicate pose within a rectangular frame. The eye is drawn by the way the light reflects. Curator: Trade cards were incredibly popular in this period and demonstrate evolving commercial strategies during that time. Including actresses and performers in these marketing plans demonstrates the value and prominence that celebrities were bringing to consumer culture. Editor: Speaking to light, notice the almost hyperrealistic treatment of Baker’s skin against the flat background. The lack of environmental detail allows us to really appreciate form, volume. It speaks volumes about classical aesthetic values still prevalent during this period. Curator: The commercial function of these artworks is also significant. Before mass advertising as we know it, this shows that there was an increasing drive to bring artwork to a mass public, outside gallery walls, interwoven with commerce. Editor: Indeed, seeing this display is a really helpful means for exploring this specific type of geometric composition; so much variation between rectangles in just one view, a marvel for any eye really. Curator: Absolutely. A reminder of art’s fluid role in culture, beyond high art spaces. Editor: Agreed, I appreciate it now on a wholly different, and broader scale, looking through this historical lens.