Laura Burt, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This small card depicting Laura Burt was produced by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., a cigarette manufacturer, as part of a series showcasing actresses. The image is printed on paper, a mass-produced material that became increasingly accessible during the industrial era. The photograph is a reminder of the complex relationship between art, industry, and consumption. It was designed to be collected, traded, and displayed, contributing to the burgeoning culture of celebrity and consumerism. The mode of production is significant, as these cards were essentially advertisements, leveraging the fame of actresses like Burt to sell cigarettes. The aesthetic of the image, with its sepia tones and theatrical pose, reflects a romanticized vision of the stage. Yet, the card itself is a product of a highly industrialized system, where images were reproduced on a massive scale, blurring the boundaries between art and commerce. This challenges traditional notions of art as a unique, handcrafted object, urging us to consider the social and economic forces that shape our visual culture.