Portrait of woman, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Editor: Here we have a portrait from the Novelties series, created in 1889 by Kinney Brothers. It’s a drawing, reproduced as a print. I’m struck by how ordinary, yet idealized, the subject seems, her rosy cheeks, pursed lips and perfect ringlets framed within this circular print. How do you read the symbols embedded in this image? Curator: I see a fascinating echo of classical portraiture filtered through the lens of late 19th-century advertising and notions of femininity. The circular format harkens back to ancient Roman medallions, objects of power and commemoration. This young woman, presented in this way, elevates her status. Notice how her gaze is direct, yet gentle. How do you think that gaze speaks to viewers from that time? Editor: I suppose it offered a model of approachable beauty, someone aspirational yet relatable enough to influence consumer choices related to tobacco products, in this instance. But why associate tobacco with feminine images? Curator: That’s the crucial paradox. These images didn't only sell tobacco; they sold ideals. This idealized, chaste beauty juxtaposed with a product historically associated with masculine pursuits reveals societal complexities. It invites a re-evaluation of both gender roles and commercial influence at the time. What is also interesting is the potential classical underpinnings for ideal feminine representation. Can you notice any connection? Editor: I am unsure; are you thinking of any classical figures in particular? I am thinking about Botticelli's Venus, yet I do not know how this relates to Tobacco. Curator: Tobacco, initially, was regarded almost religiously, an import from foreign and savage lands, full of mysteries that these novel portraits wanted to explain. I have the feeling that this adds to the power of Tobacco. I also believe that these feminine icons offered to the users a connection to feminine divinity. Editor: I never would have seen the association with those classical ideals, but it’s amazing how those subtle cues create a narrative, even in a simple advertising print! Curator: Indeed, understanding these visual symbols and their evolution reveals so much about our cultural memory and the continuous dialogues we have with images throughout time.