Mabel Santley, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This is Mabel Santley, from the Actresses series, printed by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Note how the image presents Santley’s likeness and poise. Consider the pearl necklace as more than mere adornment; throughout history, the pearl has been a symbol of purity, wisdom, and even tears. This duality is not accidental. The pearl, formed from irritation within the oyster, mirrors the complexities of the human condition itself. In Renaissance portraits, we see pearls gracing the necks of noblewomen, each bead whispering tales of virtue and status. Yet, in the funerary portraits of ancient Rome, pearls were often associated with mourning, capturing the bittersweet beauty of life and loss. These emotional states are captured in the portrait of Mabel Santley; the conscious intention is to convey sophistication and perhaps an unconscious awareness of the fleeting nature of beauty, a poignant reminder of mortality. The image reveals a non-linear progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.