Mrs. J.B. Potter, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a promotional card for Old Judge Cigarettes, portraying Mrs. J.B. Potter, an actress. The most striking aspect is her hand resting against her cheek—a gesture of contemplation that spans centuries. This pose echoes across art history, from classical depictions of melancholy to Renaissance portraits of learned figures. Think of the pensive saints and philosophers, heads bowed in thought. It speaks of introspection, a depth that transcends mere surface beauty. Yet here, it graces an advertisement, a commercial image. How peculiar that this age-old signifier of intellect and sorrow is repurposed to sell tobacco! It underscores the cyclical nature of symbols, how they are continually recontextualized, charged with new meanings, and embedded in our collective consciousness. This simple gesture reminds us of the emotional complexities we project onto even the most mundane objects.