M. Morando, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Editor: This is M. Morando, from the Actresses series, created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company around 1890 as a promotional item. It looks like a photographic print, perhaps with some added colour. The figure and her dress feel so evocative; almost like a dancer from some far-off land. What do you see in it? Curator: The actress's image, intended to associate her glamour with Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, taps into a complex history of orientalism. Consider the recurring symbols of the "exotic" woman – flowers in her hair, the flowing garments, jewelry, and suggestive dance movements. Editor: Suggestive? I suppose she’s showing more skin than a typical Victorian lady would! Curator: Precisely. These symbols create an image that reflects the cultural imagination of the time. What do they suggest to you? The use of this imagery highlights a fascination, bordering on obsession, with otherness. In addition, the use of celebrity endorsements like these speaks volumes about mass media and the developing marketing strategies of the Gilded Age. Editor: So, it’s not just about selling cigarettes; it's also selling a fantasy? Curator: Absolutely! By associating their product with the perceived allure and mystique of this woman, they create a connection in the consumer's mind. Editor: This helps me consider the cultural context much better. Thanks! I see the image now as something deeper than just an advertisement. Curator: The layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple photograph provide insight into society’s desires and values during the 1890s.