Violet de Fries, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

Curator: What a dreamy sepia tone! There’s an ethereal quality to this portrait, a wistful sense of looking towards something beyond our grasp. Editor: Indeed! What we're observing is a promotional print by W. Duke, Sons & Co., dating roughly from 1890 to 1895. The work titled "Violet de Fries, from the Actors and Actresses series" presents a portrait of the actress Violet de Fries; these cards were, in fact, issued with Duke Cigarettes. Curator: Ah, that explains the commercial feel underlying the image. So, this idealized woman was part of a larger campaign to promote tobacco? What a potent symbol of desire and aspiration she represents. The gaze upward suggests longing and ambition, a reaching for fame perhaps. And it’s worth noting that she is carefully framed, haloed almost, by that elaborate hat. Editor: Exactly. Tobacco cards, as they were known, played a significant role in shaping celebrity culture, presenting carefully constructed images of actors, athletes, and other public figures to mass audiences. They also spoke to societal aspirations and were key in building brand recognition. These objects ended up shaping, quite literally, what a celebrity looks like in public life. Curator: Thinking about these commercial images as a method of conveying collective desires also reframes how we should approach portraiture of the era. The symbol of "Violet De Fries" goes well beyond an actress and an object for tobacco consumption; she has now become the emblem for a moment in history that reflects social and economical values through one human representation. It certainly gives a layered perspective on the symbol of celebrity itself. Editor: Absolutely. Understanding these portraits as embedded within specific cultural and commercial contexts is essential for a nuanced appreciation of their place in visual culture and social life. I agree with you: she goes beyond an actress now. I am taking notes, thank you. Curator: The layers of symbolic meaning really add depth to this piece for me. I keep finding myself thinking more and more about that upward gaze... fascinating. Editor: And I will be pondering how tobacco ads built celebrity culture for the rest of the day!