Card 536, Nellie Larkell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 6) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card, made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, depicts the actress Nellie Larkell in a costume adorned with symbolic echoes of antiquity. Note the helmet, a vestige of classical warriors, but here softened and feminized with floral decorations. This melding of strength and beauty recalls the ancient archetype of the Amazon, a figure who captivated the artistic imagination from Greek vase paintings to Renaissance tapestries. Observe the thoughtful pose, her finger gently touching her face, a gesture reminiscent of melancholic muses and pensive allegories throughout art history. These motifs, pulled from the deep well of cultural memory, engage viewers on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of timeless beauty and reflection. The cigarette card, in its own way, becomes a small vessel carrying these powerful symbols forward.