Mae Powers, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Editor: So, this is "Mae Powers, from the Actresses series," printed around 1890 by Kinney Brothers, advertising Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It's a sepia-toned print, a photograph it looks like. The figure has this dreamy, almost ethereal quality, but there is a product association here. How do we unpack this tension? Curator: That's an excellent starting point. We see a commercial object – a tobacco advertisement – utilizing the visual language of fine art portraiture. This deliberate elevation invites us to consider the complex negotiations of femininity, performance, and commodification at the turn of the century. Who was Mae Powers, and how did the male gaze dictate her representation, especially considering she was part of a product intended to appeal to men? Editor: I see. It’s not just a portrait of an actress but a strategic tool to sell cigarettes by exploiting her image. Do we know anything about the Sweet Caporal brand at that time? Curator: Absolutely. "Sweet Caporal" marketed an image of refinement and even rebellion. They were capitalizing on the idea of the 'New Woman'—independent, confident, even defiant—while simultaneously confining her within a framework of patriarchal consumerism. Is it a promotion of the feminine ideal, or just reinforcing a social construct through portraiture and product endorsement? What message do you think they were ultimately sending? Editor: Maybe…that even liberated women enjoy smoking, and you can, too? It seems almost like a paradox. By understanding its cultural function, though, I can appreciate the artist's use of media. It goes beyond just documenting. Curator: Precisely! It urges us to consider how representation shapes, and is shaped by, power. Editor: Thanks for untangling all the complex themes here. It really makes me think differently about how images operate in society. Curator: My pleasure. Recognizing the historical and social factors can add depth to our understanding of it and any work of art, ultimately.